Jeffries faces medical battle before Olympics

Jun 21 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

TONY Jeffries is today aiming for a gold medal in his last fight before this summer’s Olympics. But before stepping into the ring with Ireland’s Kenny Egan he may have a battle with the medics.

The Sunderland boxer (pictured right) has been on top form at the European Union Elite Boxing Championships in Poland, recording the only knockout to date en route to the final. But even yesterday Jeffries did not know if a nasty facial injury will stop him competing in what is due to be his last competitive fight before Beijing.

Jeffries had to overcome a heavy nosebleed in his 12-11 points victory over Hungary’s Imre Szello in the semi-finals. While the nose is not thought to be broken it remains vulnerable but the 23-year-old hopes to persuade the medical men he should take the risk.

“When I boxed on Thursday I took a big shot in the first round on my nose,” he explained. “It was bleeding a lot and now it’s really, really sore. I’m still not 100% sure if they will let me box in the final. The doctor says it’s not broken but it’s still really sore.”

Jeffries travelled to Poland behind in his preparations because of a rib injury but admits his last tournament before the Olympics has been a huge morale-booster, starting from the minute he put home boxer Damian Kosmider on the canvas 55 seconds into their bout.

“I’ve done well so far but it’s really just preparation for the tournament,” he said. “We’ve come here not so much to win gold medals but just for preparation. But it’s been good for my confidence to do so well. The lad I boxed on Thursday (Szello) was a really tough fighter with over 250 fights, so to beat him was great.

“I took a heavy blow in the face early on so it was touch and go at one point. Before I came here I thought I might be a little bit behind because I’ve had a sore rib but with the way I’ve done out here I’m where I want to be.”

Fitness permitting, Jeffries’ opponent today will be the winner of the last two tournaments but at least he should be well prepared.

“I know a lot about him,” he said of Egan. “He’s a southpaw who has won the tournament twice in the last two years and he’s been the Irish senior something like nine times so I know I’m in for a really tough fight.”

Jeffries says the Great Britain team are in great shape for Beijing, where eight fighters will represent the country. On returning from Poland Jeffries has a week training on his own before a training camp in France, the last before the Olympics. “The spirit in the camp has been brilliant,” he said. “We’ve got seven of our ten boxers through to the finals.

“Everyone’s having a good laugh together, which is important because when you’re at tournaments there’s a lot of spare time. We’ve had training camps constantly for the last few weeks so everyone getting on together is a big part of the battle.”

South Durham’s Bradley Saunders travelled to Poland to train with the team but did not compete.