SHOLING boxer Ryan Garner will be doing everything in his power to triumph in the ring this year as he aims to take another step towards his dream of turning professional.

A junior European champion two years ago, Garner has been steadily making a name for himself, including claiming the 2014 England Boxing Junior Championship -54kg title last year.

This summer is set to be just as busy with the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa and Poland’s European Youth Championships both on the young boxer’s radar.

The 17-year-old is also hoping to impress selectors for the England team, something Garner believes will all work in his favour as he aims to make it to the very top of the amateur circuit before crossing into professional boxing.

“Last year went well, I went to the European Championships late last year and I won the junior nationals,” he said.

“Nothing’s clarified yet but I’ve had a few England training camps and we’re in the middle of the selection process for a few competitions.

“We’ve got the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September and the European Youth Championships in Poland after that, hopefully I can get a call up for that but nothing’s clarified yet.

“This summer, there’s the Haringey Box Cup in London and hopefully I can go to that and win a medal.

“In the long term, I want to achieve as much as I possibly can in the amateur game and then further my career by going professional.

“Everyone’s ambition is to be a world champion and I’m no different.”

Garner just missed out on selection for last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but his potential has not gone unrecognised, with the boxer reselected for the SSE Next Generation programme, a scheme that has identified 100 young athletes with Olympic and Commonwealth Games potential.

As part of the programme Garner will receive funding and mentoring from sporting legends such as six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy.

“The financial support helps out a lot and the input you get from the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Leon Taylor really helps you understand what you need to do,” added Garner.

“I’ve learnt a lot from their stories of how they've dealt under pressure and they've helped me to understand how to manage with media interviews as well.

“I don’t really have a favourite boxer, I just love watching boxing in general it just inspires. Everyone who’s made it in boxing inspires me really.”

SSE’s Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen