Islington BC teenager Daniel Dubois has taken a big step towards potential Olympic stardom after being selected for the GB podium boxing team.

The 17-year-old super-heavyweight, who won his second successive national championship earlier in the year, officially began life as a full-time boxer this week.

Dubois will spend four days each week training in Sheffield under the guidance of GB performance director Rob McCracken, who has tipped him as a gold medal prospect for the 2020 Games.

The Islington star – whose younger sisters and brother are also members of the Hazellville Road club – is following in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell, both of whom won gold at London 2012.

“I get to box and train full time and I’m very proud to have been picked,” said Dubois. “I’ve been boxing since I was a young kid and this is what you dream of.

“Not everyone gets this opportunity but I’m going to make sure I do my very best to make my family, club and country proud. I love boxing, so this is perfect for me.

“My ambitions are to win as much as possible, but I’m thinking only about what’s ahead at the moment, step by step.”

Dubois is expected to compete at the European Youth Championships in Poland in November before he turns 18 the following month and becomes a senior elite boxer, after which he will box without a headguard.

He intends to represent Islington at next year’s Elite Championships and club chairman Lenny Hagland added: “Daniel has a massive future ahead of him, hopefully culminating in a gold medal in 2020.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to be a part of the GB podium squad at the age of 17 and now a full-time boxer.”

Meanwhile, Islington light-welterweight Cherrelle Brown is one of a trio of fighters in her weight class to be included in the first female England Boxing team.

Brown, who made her international debut in Denmark at the end of last year, has displayed good form with victories in the Elite Championships and the Three Nations tournament.

The club will be holding their annual awards ceremony at their Hazellville Road gym on Sunday, with refreshments and a barbecue from 2pm onwards. All members are welcome, as are guests for a £5 entry fee.