DUDLEY O SHAUGHNESSY, a welterweight prospect in the best West Ham BC tradition, was crowned London ABA champion in a bout that was the outstanding contest on a day of superb final clashes at York Hall on Sunday, writes LEN WHALEY. His win over Haringey

DUDLEY O'SHAUGHNESSY, a welterweight prospect in the best West Ham BC tradition, was crowned London ABA champion in a bout that was the outstanding contest on a day of superb final clashes at York Hall on Sunday, writes LEN WHALEY.

His win over Haringey's Eric Ochieng was a three-round thriller, that will be remembered as one of the outstanding London ABA finals in many years.

O'Shaughnessy's earlier ABA successes had seen him despatch his rivals in quick time and Ochieng, who came back to the championships when his semi-final conqueror Ali Patterson (Fitzroy Lodge) was forced to withdraw, looked like going the same way.

The Haringey club entry was knocked rubber-legged by explosive right-hand shots, but refused to buckle and fired back with his own power-punches, to put the West Ham boxer's chin to the test.

However, it was O'Shaughnessy who was on top and looked like stopping his rival when a fierce battery of blows sent Ochieng to the floor for a count in the third round.

But once again, it was the north London fighter slamming back and the West Hammer had to show his durability and survive the threat of a disqualification when his headguard twice shook loose.

The bright prospect answered the questions to swing back in the final exchanges and complete an outstanding win.

The superb final brought thunderous applause from the York Hall fans who threw a shower of 'nobbins' - coins tossed into the ring to salute an outstanding contest - a tribute very rarely seen in amateur boxing.

O'Shaughnessy goes through to the quarter-finals of the national title-chase, but the Hammers hopes of a double triumph was ended with the narrow defeat of featherweight Billy Morgan.

Luke Pettit, his one time England team-mate, came through their featherweight final that provided fast and furious action from the opening bell.

The fast-punching rivals slammed home their shots in the toe-to-toe encounter, both finding the target with effective left hooks.

The talented Morgan whipped home some telling shots, but his rival hit back and the pair continued that way until the final bell, when it looked difficult to separate them.

It was so tight, with a majority decision going the way of the south Londoner, and Morgan was quick to raise his rival's hand in a sporting gesture at the finish.

n Ricky Newland, the 2008 ABA cruiserweight finalist from Canning Town's Peacock BC, moved along the national title trail with a London title triumph at heavyweight at York Hall on Sunday.

Newland, who had been ruled out of action for most of the season because of a hand injury, proved too good for All Stars BC opponent Moses Kamula in the heavyweight final.

He made the most of his height and reach advantage to score with long-range shots, but was put to the test when his rival landed his powerful swings.

The Peacock hope was good value for his points victory, but club coach Andre Olley admitted there was room for improvement.

"Ricky has been troubled by a virus and is not showing his best form, but with three weeks before the national quarter-finals, he has the time to work hard in the gym to get into top condition."

In the light-heavyweight final, title favourite Obed Mbwakongo (Lynn) was a second-round winner over Jay Summers (Peacock).

Game Summers was outgunned in the opening round as his rival turned on the power and sent the Peacock boxer down for two counts.

However, he came out in the second round to stagger the Lynn boxer with a series of heavy hooks, before Mbwakongo slammed back to force a stoppage win.