Jeffries joins up with Maloney

BRITAIN'S Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has signed a three year promotional deal with Frank Maloney. 'Jaffa', 23, will be managed by his father, Phil and trained by Joe Gallagher. Jeffries will steal a march on his fellow Olympians when he becomes the first member of the British squad to have a professional contest. He debut takes place at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday 27th February and will be televised live by Sky Sports. Although the Sunderland boxer had Olympic glory at light-heavyweight he hopes to eventually campaign professionally as a super-middleweight. Jeffries has 95 amateur fights, represented England 56 times, and won seven national titles, five European medals and nine multi-national medals before his success in Beijing. After becoming the first Olympic medallist from Sunderland, Tony was voted BBC North East's Sports Personality of the Year. He said: "Once I met Frank it was a very easy decision for me to sign with him even though there was another offer that was better financially. "It is not always about money and I felt comfortable talking with Frank. I had a list of things and he ticked every box. "As soon as we met I knew he was serious and offered me that date at the end of February. "I love training, but it feels even better in the gym now that I have a date for my first professional fight. All I want to do is get in the ring and fight." Maloney expects Jeffries to box at least twice in his hometown this year and added: "I am sure Tony is going to have many great nights in Sunderland that will always be remembered. "The north-east has been starved of top quality professional boxing in recent times, but Tony is about to change all that. "This is a long term project and I believe that with the right opponents picked by myself and his dad, Phil he will become a world champion." Maloney is the only British promoter to have two Olympic bronze medallists in his stable. Jeffries joins Ireland's middleweight bronze winner Darren Sutherland. Sutherland, 26, is also campaigning as a super-middleweight and a clash between the pair is a www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508. Top of the bill on this historic night in Barnsley is Rendall Munroe's (17-1) European super-bantamweight title defence against Spaniard Kiko Martinez (20-1). Also on the bill Derby's Scott Haywood (19-2) challenges WBC ranked number three light welterweight Ajose Olusegun (25-0) for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title. natural. Maloney predicted: "In 18-24 months it will be one of the biggest fights anywhere and there is nothing to stop it happening." For all the latest updates on the best prospect in British boxing check out Tony's fantastic website http://www.tonyjeffries.com or http://www.frankmaloney.com/Tickets for Tony's professional debut are on sale priced £35 and £75.