NEWLY-crowned junior ABA champion Tony Hill received another boost this week when he was selected for England in the Home Nations Championship, writes JEREMY WILSON.

The tournament will take place later in the summer, but is the latest in a list of achievements for the 17-year-old who has been tipped as a future world champion.

At the weekend Hill won a hard-fought points decision against London's Simon O'Donnell at Bridlington, Yorkshire to win the ABA middleweight crown.

Hill, a southpaw, is known for his silky boxing skills, as well as his devastating power.

This renowned knock-out capacity has made it difficult for trainer Stuart Gill to find suitable opponents for him in recent months.

The Home Nations will not be Hill's first international appearance, following last year's victory at the Junior Olympic Games.

There he was watched by legendary Lennox Lewis trainer Emmanuel Stewart and followed in the footsteps of boxing greats such as Mike Tyson and Oscar de la Hoya on the way to gold.

Dedication to his sport is what most impresses Gill about the Lordswood youngster, who is also an apprentice bricklayer.

"Tony trains three nights a week and does his running every morning. We also often do sharpening up pad sessions on a Sunday.

"He doesn't fight as much as we would like because it is hard to get him opponents and then they often pull off. But he lives and breathes boxing.

"He doesn't drink, smoke or eat the wrong foods, is extremely dedicated and definitely has the talent to go as far as he wants."

For the moment Hill plans to remain amateur, although he will be just too young to box in next year's Athens Olympics.

He may wait until he is 22 for the 2008 Olympics, although would ideally like to turn professional before then.

The next Commonwealth Games are in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 when Golden Ring's Hill will only be 20.