Charlie Edwards believes he could be about to change his life forever as he chases a London 2012 Olympic place at the World Boxing Championships next week.

The 18-year-old Beddington Bruiser flew out to Azerbaijan on Wednesday for the tournament, which begins on Monday and lasts until October 8, knowing a run to the quarter-finals will guarantee him his dream of competing at his home Olympics.

If he fails, he will have another chance at the European Championships next June, but Edwards is determined he can, and will, claim his spot over the course of the next three weeks.

"In three weeks time, I could have changed my life and know that I am going to the Olympics next year," said the 49kg fighter.

"I am really excited and it is a big thing for me.

"I have got no nerves though - I am still young and have nothing to prove.

"I don't have a target for the competition but the main thing for me is qualifying and to do that I need to make the quarter-finals.

"You have to win seven fights to win the whole thing so it is a big hard competition but I have just got to make sure I give it my all.

"It is an achievement to even be going to this tournament at the age of 18 but if I qualify it is my dream come true.

"I am putting in the training hours and my weight is right and I have done everything 100 per cent and what you put into boxing you get out."

With the draw unseeded, Edwards could find himself up against the best in the world in the early rounds, but, having just spent a week in France at a training camp with boxers from Britain, India, Mexico, Domincan Republic, France and Spain he is confident he can do well.

"I was sparring opponents I could possibly box at the Worlds," he said.

"I was really happy with how it went and I didn't really rate my opponents, I felt I controlled the sparring.

"I boxed really well and didn't show too much of my ability.

"All the training and running well really well and my weight is all under control, I have not felt as good as this at this weight for a while.

"Obviously, you want to meet the number ones later on so there is more chance of progression but I am there to beat everyone at the end of the day.

"I need to be able to beat everyone to get to where I want to be and I have really been training hard for this."