TONY Jeffries will return to the ring in his native Sunderland next month as he defends his unbeaten record as a professional.

Jeffries, who claimed a bronze medal in last summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, will take on an as yet unnamed European opponent at Sunderland's Seaburn Centre on Friday, July 10.

The former Sunderland ABC super-middleweight packed out Crowtree Leisure Centre in May as he stopped German Roy Meissner midway through the second round to make it two wins from two since leaving the amateur ranks.

He will be hoping for a similarly explosive performance in three weeks time as he steps up from four rounds to six for the first time in his professional career.

Next month's bill also features Irishman Darren Sutherland, another Beijing bronze medallist, who is tipped to meet Jeffries for a possible European title fight later in his career.

Lee Haskins will mount a British super-flyweight title defence against Ross Burkinshaw, while North-East fighters Dave Ferguson, Danny Hughes and John Lewis and Travis Dickinson will also be in action.

Tickets are priced 80 and 40 and are available from 0871 226 1508 or from www.frankmaloney.com.

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