Boxers and club officials from St Pancras ABC at the Nobu Hotel in Portman Square, Marylebone [Philip Sharkey]

IT was an emotional night in and out of the ring on Thursday when a talented line up of top amateur boxers from across the capital put on a show in Westminster.

Around 500 fight fans gathered at the lavish Nobu Hotel in Portman Square, Marylebone, to enjoy an action-packed 10-bout programme featuring emerging talents from St Pancras ABC.

But it proved “a very difficult and tearful” occasion for the entire Saints’ family as it was their first dinner show without former clubmate Sherifdeen Lawal. Sherif, who lived in Essex Road, Islington, tragically died in hospital following a powerful blow to the temple during his professional debut at Harrow Leisure Centre in May.

CJ Hussein, who had coached Sherif at St Pancras since 2012, said: “It was a very difficult night for everybody; there were tears. At the start of the show we all got in the ring and held a 10-bell salute for Sherif.

“We want to do more to honour him in the future, including introducing a trophy or medal in his memory.”

Sherifdeen Lawal

Perhaps the biggest tribute of the night was the young St Pancras boxers managing to find the strength needed to put on an exhibition of the sport that Sherif loved so much.

The highlights of the show included big wins for three of the rising stars from the club, which is based in Talacre Road, Kentish Town.

Boxing at 66kg, Patrick Dunn, 15, sealed an impressive points win over Richard Kilendo from Marvel’s Lane ABC in south London.

Michael McCarthy, 16, also displayed pin-point accuracy with his punch-combos as he got the better of Stefanos Lani from north London’s Stonebridge ABC in their 62kg contest.

Another big winner was Luke Williams, 17, who showed solid shot-selection and movement to win his 66kg bout against Ra’cai Vassall from Traffic Light System Boxing Club in south London.

After seeing six of the 10 bouts on the night end in victories for St Pancras, head coach CJ said: “Every single one of the bouts was brilliant, it was a really entertaining show.

“All of our boxers did really well, and I think next season you will start to see the fruits of all the hard work that’s being put in.

“I want to thank our coaches Alan Higgins and Chudi Onwuazor, and ‘gym mum’ Claire Williams, who have all worked tirelessly to help keep the club running

“I also want to say a massive thank-you to all the people who came out to support the club, all of our sponsors, and Geoff Springer [St Pancras ABC’s chairman] and his family for everything they do for the club. Without the whole team that works hard behind the scenes the club wouldn’t be here.”