DANNY Dignum is thrilled to be representing Great Britain in an international tournament for the first time this week.

The 21-year-old middleweight from Bowers Gifford flew to Romania yesterday to compete in the Golden Belt tournament in Constanta.

“It’s the first time I have travelled with GB and I’m really excited about it,” said the former Appleton School boy.

“We did the weigh in this morning and I was bang on, and I feel good and ready.

“My first fight is tomorrow and you need to win five fights here to win the competition.

“There’s a draw to see who you are up against and there are boys here from Russia and Cuba, so it’s a Grade A competition.

“This is the exactly the sort of experience I need and if I can impress then hopefully I’ll get a chance at other competitions in the future.

“My training under my coach Joe Taylor with the GB squad has been great and I have improved my all-around game so much.

“Now it’s just a case of showing what I can do against some quality opponents.”

Southpaw Dignum is part of a Podium Potential team alongside 69kg man Sam Mcness from Romford, and 81kg fighter John Newell from Manchester.

The tournament, which runs from 4-8 September, started life in 1972 and returns this year after a four year hiatus.

Twenty nations are expected to take part, and the GB Boxing team will compete under the AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association) flag due to the current suspension of the Amateur Boxing Association of England.

Dignum, the twin brother of pro fighter John Dignum, has set his sights on a place at the Rio 2016 Games after being called up to the Great British boxing squad to replace London 2012 bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, who has stepped up to the pro ranks.

He fights out of Brentwood ABC and now also now trains alongside the country’s brightest young stars at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, the headquarters of GB Boxing.