Boxing medallist Tony Jeffries rethinks future
Oct 17 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
OLYMPIC hero Tony Jeffries yesterday said the hysterical reception from fans could tempt him to hold off signing a professional contract.
The Sunderland boxer was part of the Great Britain boxing team which clinched its best medal haul since 1956.
And yesterday the bronze medallist joined more than 350 Beijing athletes who paraded through the streets of London on a 12-float victory parade.
Huge crowds of cheering fans from across the country congregated in the capital to catch a glimpse of their Olympic idols. And last night Tony said the reception he enjoyed during the parade could convince him to stay amateur in a bid to compete during London 2012.
He said: “My future is still undecided. Just seeing all these people makes me think, ‘Imagine if I went to London and got a bronze or a silver or a gold.’
“That would just be amazing. I’m undecided, but the reaction I’m getting is definitely affecting my decision.
“People keep coming up to me and saying, ‘Well done Tony’ and saying that I’ve done them proud. It’s really amazing.
“You can’t pay for this kind of experience. I can’t believe how many people are here.”
The procession started at Mansion House and passed through the St Paul’s Cathedral area, Fleet Street and the Strand, before the athletes met the Queen at Buckingham Palace last night.
Among those on the floats were Cramlington Paralympian Stephen Miller and Northumbria University graduate Victoria Pendleton. During the summer Team GB bagged 19 golds to finish fourth in the medal table with a haul of 47 medals, its best Olympic performance since 1908.
Paralympics GB won 102 medals, including 42 gold, to finish second in the medals table behind China.
