The Navy announced it will provide £200,000 funding to sponsor the ABAE's two annual youth tournaments, the Golden Gloves and Junior Championships, and to improve facilities.

"This is a superb opportunity for the ABAE to roll out this sponsorship funding to the regions and ensure consistent development takes place in all areas," said Paul King, the ABAE's chief executive.

 "We are proud to have engaged with a 'blue chip' sponsor such as the Royal Navy. They will also offer us other opportunities and benefits, whilst exposing their profile further across England."

Captain Charles Alcock (pictured here with young boxer George Groves) said: "There has been a Royal Navy Boxing Association since early 1882. Such was the success that by 1908, the RN Open Championships had a record entry in excess of 1,000 in six weight categories. Since then there has been an abundance of boxing representatives from within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

"But this is the first time that we have established formal links with youth boxing. This is an area that we are keen to become involved with - young boxers have ideal qualities such as fitness, discipline, courage and determination to fill key roles within the Naval Service. Such qualities are vital to us as we look towards the future."