Fight for the torch
Sunderland's Tony Jeffries tells Sky Sports why he feels he deserves to carry the Olympic torch this year.
By Emma Bird
Last Updated: 04/05/12 10:41am
As Sunderland's only living Olympic medallist, it seems only fair that Tony Jeffries should play a part in the Olympic torch relay when it arrives in his home town of Sunderland this year.
However, as he told Sky Sports, he is not on the shortlist to run with the torch, which has seen the introduction of an online campaign aiming to get Jeffries involved.
The light-heavyweight bronze medallist in Beijing four years ago feels he has not only promoted his sport, but also raised thousands of pounds for his city since his Olympic glory.
He told Sky Sports: "For them to find even an extra 100m for me to run with it...it wouldn't be that hard for the things I've done for the city.
"I'm really proud of what I've achieved. After 2008, the boxing gyms were crammed with people wanting to start boxing. It was great, that was one of the best things about it."
Success
Having turned professional rather than stay on for the 2012 Games in London, Jeffries believes his success has greatly affected the sport.
The 27-year-old added: "It also changed professional boxing in the north east. When I turned professional I was contacted by Sky Sports TV and they put a lot of shows on in the north east which gave a lot of other boxers the opportunity to be recognised.
"I'm so lucky and blessed; the Olympics really changed my life and have given me so many opportunities."
The Los-Angeles based boxer became the only British light-heavyweight to win an Olympic medal in over 60 years when he claimed his medal in Beijing and admits that his life changed dramatically as a result.
"After the Olympics my life changed overnight in so many ways. I've had ten (professional) fights now undefeated," he said.
"I've had surgery on my hands though which has put me out for a little while.
"I had a hole in one knuckle and a tear in the other. Over the years I've had 105 fights so it's a lot of wear and tear."
Jeffries currently works as a personal trainer in LA, working in a gym for 14 hours a week, waiting for his hand to recover so that he can get back in the ring.
He just hopes that his hometown and the organisers of the torch relay see why he deserves to be part of the important event after all he has done for both the sport and for Sunderland.
