TONY JEFFRIES wants to land his first professional title by the end of the year.
The Olympic bronze medallist has fully recovered from a spate of injuries and returns to action at Coventry Skydome on Friday April 23.
‘Jaffa’, 25, will be bidding to stretch his unbeaten record to six when he tackles tough Welshman Nathan King on the bill being televised live by Sky Sports.
Jeffries said: “It would be nice to have an English title belt by the end of 2010, but it is a slow process and I am still learning.
“The injuries meant that I haven’t boxed since December so the aim is for Frank Maloney to keep me busy.”
Sunderland’s favourite sporting son has just returned from a week sparring with WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch.
Jeffries added: “I got to know Carl well after we did a television show recently and the sparring was fantastic.
“Working with soemone like him only added to my desire to become a world champion. His dedication is fantastic and I learnt so much being around him.”
Promote Frank Maloney said: “Top prospects like Tony and David Price will learn more from quality sparring than anything else.
“There are not many better fighters in Britain than Carl to learn from.”
King’s 12-15 record might not be impressive, but he owns one of the sturdiest chins in British boxing.
He has fought numerous champions and in December went the distance with Olympic gold medallist James DeGale.
Top of Maloney’s blockbuster bill is Rendall Munroe’s WBC world super-bantamweight title final eliminator against Mexican star Victor Terrazas.
The winner is guaranteed a crack at Japan’s formidable world title holder Toshiaki Nishioka later this year.
Tickets are on sale, prices £30, £50 and £70 by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling 0871 226 1508. Boxers on the bill are also selling tickets.
