British Boxing: Tony Jeffries Steps Up For Sunderland

Tony Jeffries will face the toughest test of his short professional career when he boxes Belarusian light heavyweight champion Artem Solomko on Friday, October 16.

‘Jaffa’, 24, has romped to three quick-fire wins since switiching codes following his glorious bronze medal at last year’s Olympics. And he hopes to delight his hometown fans and Sky TV viewers when he tackles Solomko at Sunderland’s Seaburn Centre.

Solomko (10-17) won his national crown in May, easily outpointing Dmitry Adamovich over ten rounds.

The Minsk man is durable and hasn’t been stopped since a four round cuts defeat to former European cruiserweight champion and two time world title challenger Pietro Aurino in June, 2005.

Promoter Frank Maloney: “British fighters are molly coddled because they learn nothing blowing people away and this a decent test.

“Jeffries has already spread fear through Europe and this is a gamble but will pay off. It is the right fight at the right time.”

Heading the talent bursting Sunderland bill is a British super-bantamweight title defence by Jason Booth (33-5) who faces Hartlepool’s former European champion Michael Hunter.

Booth, 31, will be having his 17th major title contest and making the second defence of the championship he won against Mark Moran in April.

Also featured is Jeffries fellow Beijing bronze medallist David Price (1-0), and super-middlerweight sensation George Groves (5-0)

The last few remaining tickets priced £35 and £90 are available from 0871 226 1508, Phil Jeffries 0191 564 0202 and www.frankmaloney.com.