Lewie Edmondson has been left “devastated” after having his dreams of representing England snatched away.

The 17-year-old Golden Ring boxer, pictured, had been selected to represent his country in the European Championships in Rotterdam this weekend, following a glittering season that saw him land the Junior ABA and Three Nations titles.

But a suspension placed on the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) over “serious violations” of regulations will remain in place, meaning Edmondson won’t be going.

He was informed yesterday that he would not be travelling – and his coach, Stuart Gill, hit out at the dashing of a dream.

He said: “Lewie is absolutely devastated, and understandably so. He has worked so hard for this, over the course of the season and then since he got the call up.

“He’s run so many miles, worked in the gym, sparred – he’s done everything you could ever have asked of him and to get this news just a day before he was due to fly out is just horrible.

“The worst thing about it is that this is his last chance, for a while at least, because he is in a youth age group at the moment but will be considered a senior next season.

“To be fair to Lewie he won’t have his senior strength for a couple of years so he’s not likely to get another chance to make it onto the team again for some time.

“To find out the day before you are due to go seems even more cruel. His family and friends have booked flights and hotels out there too.

“There is so much politics involved. To me it seems it’s not boxing people making these decisions. It’s not even sports people, people who have trained hard in their lives. If it was you wouldn’t do this.

“It’s very upsetting and he is absolutely devastated.”

The ban also threatens the England call-ups of Southampton ABC duo Ryan Garner and Jack Hillier who are due to be competing in October.

The ABAE issued a statement on their website which read: “Further to my update yesterday, which informed you that ABA had requested BOA (British Olympic Association) to operate the AIBA rule which permits that Boxers be allowed to enter events and box under the AIBA flag, where their National federation is suspended.

“We have now been informed that AIBA have put a blanket ban on the BOA applying to request dispensation for boxers to box in international tournaments during the provisional suspension.

“Unfortunately this means that our boxers will not be able to compete in the European Youth Championships event, which takes place next week.

“We are currently, personally informing the boxers and other team members involved.

“ABAE are saddened that this stance has been taken by AIBA and are very disappointed that our boxers are having to pay a very high price for something that they bear no responsibility for.”