BOXXER head chief Ben Shalom says he is keen to match Shepherds Bush's newly crowned British cruiserweight champion Mikael Lawal and stablemate Isaac Chamberlain next year, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 27-year-old Lawal finally got hold of the belt he dreamt of winning since he began the sport 10 years ago when he defeated tough Scotsman David Jamieson in eight rounds at Alexander Palace, Wood Green on Sunday.

However Nigerian-born Lawal, who trains at Stonebridge Boxing Club in Wembley, had to work his socks off in overcoming East Kilbride's Jamieson, 30, who had nine victories in a 10-fight record but failed to come off his stool before the start of round nine in unfortunate circumstances after suffering a broken jaw.

Lawal revealed during his post-fight interview with Sky Sports that he had just recovered from the flu a few days before he got down to completing his mission on Sunday.

“From coming off from having the flu for the last week then be able to do this, I'm happy,” he said.

“My performance wasn't as good as I wanted to be but I'm back to the gym and back to work and I'm going to come back looking better.

“I was a little bit tempted to have to pull out but I couldn't. I'm not going to put it off any more and I need to get this British title. Now I've got it!”

Lawal paid respect to Jamieson who he believes can be a match for any top-rated cruiserweight and was not aware of his rival's injury until referee Michael Alexander waved off the bout.

“I knew I caught him and saw the blood start to drizzle out but I didn't know it was serious than that,” added Lawal.

“I hope he recovers and gets well soon but he's tough. He's going to give a lot of cruiserweights so much trouble and definitely he's one to watch out for."

Lawal is now in the driving seat for huge fights in the very glittering but highly competitive domestic cruiserweight division headed by Hackney’s WBO world champion Lawrence Okolie, European title holder Chris Billam-Smith, unbeaten South Londoner and world title contender Richard Riakporhe and his occasional training partner Chamberlian, who lost to Bournemouth-based Billam-Smith back in a 12-round unanimous points decision in July.

And Manchester-based promoter Shalom is willing to make Lawal-Chamberlain happen, adding: "It makes sense. I think Mikael wants it. Mikael wants the big names. He looks to Richard Riakporhe, Lawrence Okolie, Isaac Chamberlin, Chris Billam-Smith and we've got another cruiserweight right in the mix and he wants the big fights.”

Brixton-based Chamberlain was at ringside and said: “I've known Mikael for a long time. We used to share sparring with Oleksandr Usyk (current WBA Super, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion from Ukraine). We got on very well but this is business so let the best man win.”