Aarron Morgan in action. Pic: Dieter Perry

Aarron Morgan is hoping to move one step closer to his dream of boxing for England with a victory at Sunday night’s Amateur Boxing Association London finals at Hayes Working Men’s Club.

The 23-year-old middleweight was awarded the “Best Boxer” trophy after winning both of his fights by knockout in the north-west London division contest of the Senior Elite amateur championships on March 1. Morgan is one of three Islington Boxing Club members hoping to progress through to next month’s national quarter-finals.

The club’s internationals Darren Ballinger (England) and Reece Shagourie (Jamaica) also have their sights on the quarter-finals.

Lightweight Ballinger, who fought for England last month, also progressed at Hayes, narrowly defeating Haringey All Stars’ Daniel Fernandes on points.

Jamaican middleweight Shagourie was due to fight All Stars’ Kelvin Farwaz last night (Thursday) for a place in Sunday night’s final at Croydon’s Fairfields Hall.

Club captain Morgan was competing for the first time at this level last Thursday, after winning the Novice B national championships last year, but he had no problem beating Hackney’s Arash Haehemoradi and Dale’s Sylvester Broby.

“I got into doing it because I came down to the gym as a teenager looking to lose some weight. I shifted the pounds and found I was pretty good at it so I stuck with it and I’ve made it my life.”

And although he only started boxing because he wanted to lose weight, Morgan, who counts Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez as his idols, now has lofty ambitions, planning to represent England before turning professional.

He said: “The step-up’s been no problem because I won both fights by stoppage. I’m in it to win it. I want to box for my country and if you win the nationals you’re more than likely to be selected for England.

“Ultimately I’m looking to turn pro, but I’d like to represent England before then. I’m in this for the long haul. At the moment I’m taking it one fight at a time but I’m confident – I’ve got to be because you’ve got to have an ego in boxing to succeed. I was always a fan of the sport, I remember staying up late watching Nigel Benn fights when I was a kid.”

The London final will take place at Fairfield Halls in Croydon this Sunday from 1pm.