Sunderland boxer Tony Jeffries has backed promoter Frank Maloney's management of his career ahead of his third professional bout in July.

The light-heavyweight, 24, beat his first two opponents with ease, but Jeffries defended Maloney's opponent selection given his own inexperience.

"I can't box people too experienced, as I'm still a novice in the professional game," he told BBC Look North.

"I need to learn my trade and that's why they bring these opponents in."

Jeffries added: "I need to keep on winning and hopefully a few years down the line I'll be boxing for titles."

Also on the bill at the Seaburn Centre on 10 July is Darren Sutherland, a fellow Olympian who represented Ireland.

I do believe the people are crying out for sporting success and events here Frank Maloney on boxing in Sunderland

And Jeffries was full of respect for a fighter who it is believed could prove a worthwhile opponent in the future.

"Darren is coming to fight, he's the same as me, he's an Olympic bronze medallist like me but for Ireland so there's always a chance to fight down the line," he said.

"He needs to keep on winning, I need to keep on winning and hopefully we'll be fighting for a title down the line.

"There's a few of us - James De Gale who won gold, a friend of mine, he's the same weight, so if we all keep winning we'll definitely fight some time."

Jeffries' promoter Maloney has been very impressed with the set-up and enthusiasm for boxing in the North East since teaming up with the light-heavyweight earlier this year.

And the South Londoner wants Sunderland to become a hotbed for boxing across the weight divisions.

"I'm not putting all the responsibility on Tony's shoulders, there's a lot of young talent, plus there's two heavyweights and everyone loves a heavyweight," he said.

"Imagine Danny Hughes and Dave Ferguson fighting for the heavyweight title of Great Britain here in Sunderland? Two local boys, I can't imagine anything like it.

"It's like the time when Frank Bruno was around, Gary Mason and Lennox Lewis and everything was in London, then we had Joe Calzaghe in Cardiff, and Ricky Hatton in Manchester.

"Now we've got Tony Jeffries and all this young talent, and given the response we got last time I do believe the people are crying out for sporting success and events here."

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