SHONA Whitwell is about to take another big step towards her dream of boxing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 15-year-old three-time English Schoolgirl champion, below, has just returned home from a training camp at the National Institute of Sport in Sheffield where she spent the weekend training with the Team GB boxing team in preparation for the European Boxing Championships in Hungary at the end of the month.

“Ten years of hard work is finally paying off,” said her father and coach Steve Whitwell.

“Shona was selected at a recent England squad selection day where she did well enough to be one of only three junior girls in the country to be picked.

“The selectors only want to take girls with a real chance of winning a medal and with Shona’s record of three schoolgirl titles they think she has a great chance.

“This is her first England call-up and the first time junior girls have been included in the European Championships.

“The England coaches couldn’t believe she was just 15 after sparring with 19-year-olds and holding her own.

“It’s a great opportunity and if she does well she is hoping to join the development squad for Rio 2016 or more likely 2020.”

Steve Whitwell is the head coach at St Ives Amateur Boxing Club and last weekend another young boxer made her debut. Peaches Price, 13, was boxer of the night at the Friday evening show after her skills bout with Ebony Jefferies from the Cornish club St Ives Bay.

Meanwhile, St Neots boxer Tommy Martin has confirmed a date for his fourth professional fight which once again will be at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

The show will be on Saturday, July 27. Tickets are £35.