Isaac Chamberlain soundly defeated Mikael Lawal to win the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday night.

Too fast on his feet and too clever in their exchanges, he handled Lawal over the course of 12 rounds, winning a unanimous decision to claim the British championship his London rival held and pick up the vacant Commonwealth title.

Their first round was cagey, with Chamberlain rightly wary of his opponent’s power. But the Brixton man built on his work with the jab as he began to direct Lawal round the outer fringes of the ring.

Chamberlain, up on his toes, bounded in and out, letting Lawal miss with an arching right. He smacked a left hook into the British champion and bored forward. He mauled Lawal against the ropes, clattering punches off him.

Overall, Chamberlain exerted the greater control and all three judges scored for Chamberlain (119-111 and 118-111 twice). And for Chamberlain, it was a moment of vindication:

“I didn’t have the best amateur career, I had nine fights, they chucked me in the deep end and I kept going,” he said.

“When I was younger I had low self-esteem, but I said I’d believe in the ability I have. Even though I had niggles coming to this fight, I said ‘it’s now or never. I’m very grateful.”