Tony Jeffries cautious about Michael Banbula fight

By Paul Bramley

Jeffries has never fought over eight rounds before this fight

Sunderland light-heavyweight Tony Jeffries is wary of the threat posed by Friday's opponent Michael Banbula despite his disappointing record.

The Pole has lost 25 of his 38 fights, yet ended the career of former world champion Tony Oakey in his last fight.

"His record's not very good. His record's terrible really," Jeffries told BBC Newcastle.

"On paper, you think I should bash him but he has boxed top level lads. He's won his last three fights as well."

After becoming Wearside's first Olympic medallist, taking bronze in Beijing in 2008, Jeffries is forging a reputation in the professional ranks. He is undefeated in six professional bouts.

"Banbula beat Oakey in his last fight who was an ex-[WBU light-heavyweight] world champion and he beat him over 10 rounds so he's looking to do the same with me," Jeffries continued.

It's going to be tough because I've gone from fighting four two-minute rounds as an amateur to fighting eight three-minute rounds as a professional, but it's a good challenge

Tony Jeffries

As well as a tough opponent, Jeffries also faces his first bout of eight rounds, part of the progression towards a title fight.

"Titles are 12 rounds, or you can fight for an English title for 10 rounds - so it's just another step up," he said.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be tough because I've gone from fighting four two-minute rounds as an amateur to fighting eight three-minute rounds as a professional but it's going to be a good challenge for me."

His training has been structured to deal with the extra rounds.

"You have to train more and you have to train for longer," he said. "Before, I'd do four or six rounds on the pads and now it's eight or 10.

"The same with sparring - I have to spar for longer but it's all part of the learning process of stepping up bit-by-bit."

The fight takes place at Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-le-Spring on the undercard of Stuart Hall's first defence of his British bantamweight title.