Recorda Davey-Ann Clarke, who goes by Ricardo, was killed by Elyas Moussa on Linacre Road on December 28 last year.
The pair had an “altercation” during which glass bottles were thrown before they each went their separate ways.
But Moussa then returned to the road armed with a knife to confront Ricardo again and stabbed him to death.
Moussa then phoned 999 from a phone box miles away, stating he wished to hand himself in.
Moussa, 30, was found guilty of the 35-year-old’s murder on Wednesday following a two week trial at the Old Bailey.
Lori-Jane Forrest, who has raised two children with Ricardo, told this paper in January that her kids were “devastated” from the loss.
She recalled: “We were friends, we’re still best friends. He was my best friend first and then we started dating.
“He has a big heart, he’d do anything for his family and is a really funny guy.
“He loved his music, he loved being outside and just doing things with his family.”
Mr Clarke was described as a “very hardworking man” at the Royal Parks, as an apprentice studying botany and the biology of plants.
His ex-partner said: “He loved gardening plants. The garden at his mum’s house has all these plants he cared for, and my son said ‘who’s going to look after daddy’s plants?’
“He had a bright future ahead of him.”
Detective Inspector Jonny Newell, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Despite Moussa handing himself in, officers worked quickly to meticulously piece together what happened that night.
“The CCTV timeline, witness accounts and forensic evidence left no doubt that Moussa alone was responsible for Ricardo’s death.
“Today’s conviction brings justice for Ricardo’s family, who have shown incredible strength throughout the proceedings.”
