Watford Grammar School for Boys’ Anees Taj successfully won gold at the Haringey Box Cup in the heavyweight Under-91kg category.

The 18-year-old, who began boxing in March 2012, was representing St Albans and London Colney Amateur Boxing Club at the competition, which is the largest independent boxing event in Europe and has seen the likes of Anthony Joshua, Chris Eubank Junior and Nicola Adams clinch victories. Taj met Kieran Pierce of Hastings West Hill Boxing Club in the semi-finals.

Southpaw Pierce was given a standing count in the second and third rounds which led to the Watford fighter, from Mildred Avenue, winning via a unanimous point decision.

In the final Taj took on David Adelese from Dale Youth Boxing Club – a gym which has produced several champions including George Groves and James DeGale.

It ended as a one-sided contest however, as Taj dominated all three rounds to win by unanimous decision.

South Oxhey Boxing Club’s Reece Bellotti reached the final of Senior A 60 (1) class competition but was beaten by Maltese fighter Haithem Laamouz.

Bellotti navigated his way to the final with victories over Jake Slater and Stuart O'Connell.

He comfortably defeated Slater 3-0 on points before stopping O’Connell in their semi-final contest.

However, in the final against Laamouz he was narrowly beaten 2-1 on points and it was the fighter from St Julians Boxing Club who clinched the title.