Charlie Edwards moved into GB boxing's podium squad

Edwards (right) has earned a place in Rob McCracken's podium squad

Light-flyweight Charlie Edwards has been rewarded for his fine performance at last Friday's ABA finals by being added to GB boxing's podium squad.

Edwards, 18, was already in GB boxing's development squad but his 39-13 victory over Mohammed Wagas in Colchester has seen the Beddington boxer promoted.

"Charlie has established himself as the best light-flyweight and has now earned his place on the podium squad," said performance director Rob McCracken.

The news keeps his Olympic dream alive.

Edwards will now be invited to represent GB at international tournaments and could also make the team for the World Championships in September, which double up as a 2012 Olympic qualifying event.

"His challenge now is to make the move up to international class," added McCracken.

Edwards' coach Gary Hale told BBC Sport after Edwards' victory in Colchester: "He's now proved he is the best boxer at the weight and he continues to do everything we ask of him.

"He is extremely dedicated and is improving all the time. Moving into the podium squad is the next logical step."

The 18-year-old will now train full time at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Men's Podium Squad

Charlie Edwards, Light-flyweight, (49kg), Croydon, England

Khalid Yafai, Flyweight (52Kg), Birmingham, England

Andrew Selby, Flyweight (52Kg), Barry, Wales

Tommy Stubbs, Flyweight (52Kg), Oldham, England

Gamal Yafai, Bantamweight (56Kg), Birmingham, England

Luke Campbell, Bantamweight (56Kg), Hull, England

Iain Weaver, Bantamweight (56Kg), Ferndown, England

Martin Ward, Lightweight (60Kg), Romford, England

Thomas Stalker, Lightweight (60Kg), Liverpool, England

Bradley Saunders, Light-welterweight (64Kg), Sedgefield, England

Scott Cardle, Light-welterweight (64Kg), Lytham, England

Callum Smith, Welterweight (69Kg), Liverpool, England

Fred Evans, Welterweight (69Kg), Cardiff, Wales

Anthony Ogogo, Middleweight (75Kg), Lowestoft, England

Obed Mbwakango, Light-heavyweight (81 Kg), London, England

Warren Baister, Heavyweight (91Kg), Sunderland, England

Danny Price, Heavyweight (91Kg), Scarborough, England

Simon Vallily, Heavyweight (91Kg), Middlesbrough, England