Boxing hero Tony Jeffries to snub bash held in his honour

Sep 7 2008 by Michael Kelly, Sunday Sun

OLYMPIC boxing hero Tony Jeffries is set to deliver a knock-out blow to council leaders in his home city . . . by snubbing a civic reception in his honour.

The light heavyweight, who won a bronze medal in Beijing, has voiced his anger at the lack of support he received from Sunderland City Council.

Tony’s father Phil has told how his 23-year-old son repeatedly begged for financial help as he trained for the Olympics.

Phil claims that, while other British boxers received grants from their local authorities, Sunderland Council officials refused his appeals.

Instead, when he should have been training in the gym, Tony was forced to work as a nightclub doorman and sell burgers outside Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

After he won his medal, Tony received messages of support from council leader Paul Watson and the Mayor of Sunderland Mary Smith.

The council is now planning a civic reception for him and the city’s other Olympic athletes.

But Phil, who is also Tony’s manager, said: “If Tony’s invited, he won’t be going. We want nothing off them.

“They all want a piece of him now he’s a hero but, when he was putting all the hard work in, they didn’t want to know.”

A Sunderland Council spokesman said: “We’re very proud of Tony’s success at the 2008 Olympics and appreciate the wider role that he plays as an ambassador for Sunderland.

“Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club contacted the council in February this year, requesting financial support for Tony Jeffries.

“The council responded in writing advising that Sunderland Sports Council was the relevant body who offer financial support to local athletes. In addition, advice was given with regard to other organisations funded to provide financial support to elite athletes such as Tony.”

But Phil, who runs a car repair business, said: “Boxers from other cities received grants from their councils or, if they worked for the councils, they were allowed time off.

“Sunderland Council has done nothing whatsoever to help my son. They’re a waste of space. They need to give more support to young boxers in the city.”

Like other Olympic competitors, Tony’s travel to China and accommodation in Beijing were paid for by Sport England.

But Tony said: “I need to train three or four times a day and it’s not very helpful when you’re having to do a full-time job as well. I was having to work in nightclubs before the smoking ban came in and it wasn’t great for my health.”

Tony, who lives in South Hylton, is now training for the London Olympics in 2012.

Phil said: “Obviously, he wants to win a gold medal for Sunderland in 2012 but he has a mortgage and bills to pay like anyone else, and he needs as much help as he can get.”