Tony Jeffries is set for the toughest fight of his professional career when he faces light-heavyweight champion Artem Solomko on Friday.
North-East boxer hopes to impress at home
Tony Jeffries is set for the toughest fight of his professional career when he steps into the ring with Belarusian light-heavyweight champion Artem Solomko on Friday.
The Olympic bronze medallist has earned three quick-fire victories since switching codes after last year's games, and the 24-year-old is hoping the next will be in his hometown of Sunderland.
Jeffries' opponent Solomko hasn't been stopped since a four-round cuts defeat to former European cruiserweight champion and two-time world title challenger Pietro Aurino in 2005.
The Minsk boxer, who won his national crown in May after overcoming Dmitry Adamovich in 10 rounds, will hope to keep his impressive record when he faces Jeffries on
Sky Sports 1 on Friday.
"British fighters are molly coddled because they learn nothing blowing people away and this a decent test," said promoter Frank Maloney.
Gamble
"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 bill at Sunderland's Seaburn Centre is a British super-bantamweight title defence by Jason Booth, who faces Hartlepool's former European champion Michael Hunter.
Booth, 31, will be having his 17th major title contest and will be making the second defence of the championship he won against Mark Moran in April.
Also featured is Jeffries' fellow Beijing bronze medallist David Price and super-middleweight sensation George Groves.
