By Nabil Hassan

Webb (left) wants to follow in the footsteps of Enzo Maccarinelli (right)

Nephew Tobias Webb, son of Enzo's sister Jane, has flown out to America as part of the Great Britain team to compete at the World Amateur Championships in Chigaco later this month.

A quarter-final place will secure his spot in Team GB's boxing squad to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But Webb has set his sights much higher - he wants to return with a medal.

"I am thrilled to have made the team and this is an opportunity of a life-time," he said.

"All I need to do is reach the quarter-final stages at then my chance is there to reach the Olympics.

Welsh boxers at the World Amateur Championships Mo Nasir - light flyweight Andrew Selby - flyweight Chris Jenkins - bantamweight Tobias Webb - middleweight

"I think I have a great chance. I've dropped down from light heavyweight to middleweight but my power has stayed with me."

Middleweight Webb, member of Bonymaen Amateur Boxing Club, does not need to look far for inspiration.

His uncle, WBO world cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli, is rated as one of the hottest prospects in boxing.

Maccarinelli has long been an admirer of his young nephew and has often touted him as a star of the future.

And now it looks as if Tobias is living up to his billing.

Certainly having a world champion for an uncle is motivation enough to succeed.

"I watch my uncle train hard and that inspires me to do likewise," he said.

"I've been down the Calzaghe gym and it has helped me a lot to see Enzo, Joe Calzaghe and Gavin Rees train. Their punching power and speed is amazing

"Not everyone has that opportunity but watching them train makes me want it more and hopefully I'm heading it the right direction."

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Webb says he is determined to follow in his footsteps and become world champion one day, but the 18-year-old's focus for now is to reach the top in the amateur ranks.

He said: "My ambition is definitely to turn professional, but Amir Khan started off in the Olympics and that is my goal.

"My ambition is turn to pro at some stage but I have to get to the Olympics to show what I can do.

"But I have to focus on the World Championships and get through that first."

If Webb reaches the final in Chicago, he is due to fight on the same day as uncle Enzo takes on Ezra Sellers at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

And he revealed that the pair have planned to talk before they do battle in the ring.

"I'll speak to Enzo before his fight. We'll have a little pep talk."

Tobias was speaking on BBC Radio Wales' Back Page show.