 Jeffries (right) finished with bronze in Beijing after losing to Kenny Egan |
Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has been left frustrated after his first professional fight was delayed. The Sunderland light-heavyweight, 23, had been preparing for his debut at the Stadium of Light in March. Only two months after signing the deal on the pitch during a Sunderland Premier League match, Jeffries declared: "I'm gutted and I'm skint. "I haven't been paid since my last pay packet from the amateurs in October. I was looking forward to my debut." On his return from a successful Olympics in the summer, Jeffries went on to sign his first pro contract, joining promoter Dennis Hobson's Fight Academy setup. Jeffries said at the time he was "determined to be a credit to north-east England and to take Britain's Olympic success on to the worldwide professional stage".  | 606: DEBATE |
And unable to secure television dates Jefferies believes his deal with Hobson is void and claims other rival promoters have been in touch. "I've been training since Christmas to make the super-middleweight limit and there's been such a buzz around Sunderland I reckon I could have sold 500 tickets already without even trying," he added. "I don't blame Dennis because it's obvious he's been let down too. "I've missed a lot publicity-wise with the other Olympians all ready to make their debuts. All I want to do is get back in the ring and fight." Fellow Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders are signed up to the Frank Warren Sports Network stable. All three will make their professional debuts in Birmingham on 28 February.
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