Budding boxing star Perry Lovejoy, from Earlsfield Boxing Club, has battled through to the national round of the Amateur Boxing Association's Golden Gloves finals, supported by the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

The 12-year-old was up against other future champions last week at York Hall, Bethnal Green, and goes on to fight in the final in Yorkshire this weekend.

Dating back to 1920, the Golden Gloves has built up a reputation as being the top competition for boxers aged 12 to 14.

This year sees in the start of a new five-year partnership between the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the Amateur Boxing Association England).

Royal Navy captain naval recruiting Captain Chris Alcock said: "We are delighted to support the Golden Gloves tournament.

"The Royal Navy and Royal Marines already have a long tradition of boxing excellence, and this partnership furthers our commitment to the community and youth sport, while helping us get the right recruits for the future.

"Fitness, discipline, courage and determination learnt through boxing equate perfectly with those required for a career in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines.

"We wish the competitors the best of luck for the finals' Lovejoy, who weighs in at 34kg, is looking forward to taking on his peers to clinch the title.

His father, Gary Lovejoy, said: "We are so proud of him - Perry is very excited about getting through to the finals.

"He has been training for five years now and is really into his boxing."

The national finals of the Golden Gloves will be held at Knottingley Leisure Centre, Yorkshire, this Saturday and Sunday.