Olympic bronze at least for North boxer Jeffries

Aug 20 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

THE father of the North East’s first Beijing medallist last night said his son was fighting for the whole region. Tony Jeffries boxed himself to an Olympic medal with yesterday’s brilliant bout against Hungarian opponent Imre Szello.

The Sunderland light-heavyweight is guaranteed at least a bronze in the competition, but dad Phil last night said Tony was going for gold with the whole of the North East behind him.

And he revealed he had been forced to change his return flights from the Chinese capital after his son’s success.

Speaking from Beijing, Mr Jeffries also paid tribute to The Journal for its support. We have been following Jeffries’ progress throughout the competition on our website www.journallive.co.uk

The Sunderland man, who also manages his son, said: “What a fantastic result for Tony and for the North East.

“I am so proud and Tony is absolutely buzzing. He’s headed back to the Olympic Village to concentrate on Friday’s match, but I’m with all the boys from Sunderland having a few drinks.”

Mr Jeffries said he had been bombarded with calls and texts since his son’s victorious bout, which meant Great Britain is guaranteed at least two Olympic boxing medals for the first time in 36 years.

He said: “I can’t thank the people of the North East enough for all the support they have given my boy, as well as The Journal for being there for Tony from the start.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing and once again I am reminded what a fantastic place the region is.”

Mr Jeffries said Friday’s semi-final clash was the family’s next target, and they were cautiously optimistic.

He said: “Tony was the dark horse of the competition. He’s up for it and I think he’s going to peak at the right time, but we’re just taking it one fight at a time.”

The 23-year-old light-heavyweight, who once worked on a burger stand outside Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, will face Ireland’s Kenny Egan in his next bout. The two last clashed at the European Championships in Poland in June, with Egan leading 14-7 when Jeffries was withdrawn before the final round with a cut eye.

Tony Jeffries has been writing an exclusive Olympic diary for The Journal. Click here to read his thoughts on both his fights to date and life in the Olympic village.