Tolan eyes Jeffries upset

12 December 2010 – Steve Wellings

Belfast super-middleweight Tommy Tolan is planning to light up the city with a shock victory over touted Sunderland prospect Tony Jeffries.

Tolan returned from the wilderness in May this year, putting in a commendable effort at short notice before going down on points to Ballinrobes Michael Sweeney. Tommy confirmed that he was a real threat on the domestic circuit when he brutally snapped the unbeaten slate of JJ McDonagh in Dublins City West venue in August. The 37-year-old believes that that win provides all the proof needed that he carries dynamite in his fists.

I have power in both hands and absolutely nothing to worry about on December 15, stated The Tiger.

Michael Sweeney is a very good boxer and I was 12 stone for the fight. I was contacted at four days notice at 12 stone 10lb and Brian Peters offered me good money for the fight. Michael punches very hard indeed and I fought well on the night. That got me thinking that Im nothing else but a super-middleweight. That is my natural weight even though Ive took this fight up at 12st 9lb [light-heavyweight] as the opportunity arose and I just took it.

Im looking forward to the Jeffries fight. Preparations have gone well for the team. Jeffries is a big guy, a stand up boxer and I know what I have to do; the game plan has been made and Im going to have to fight him. I see him being very awkward, like JJ McDonagh, and I will be patient and wait for my chance to come.

Tommys career has been stagnated by inactivity. He compiled a modest 3-2 (2 KOs) record from 2001-2005, that included, interestingly enough, a four-round points win over a certain Michael Banbula. Fans of SKYs Saturday Fight Nights will have seen Jeffries struggle to an eight-round draw with plucky Banbula, in the Sunderland mans most recent outing.

I hope Jeffries is complacent and comes over to use me as an opponent because hell have the shock of his life, continued Tolan.

Frank Maloney has a contract on offer for me if I win so I hope Tony comes to fight because the Belfast people love a fight.

Indeed, Maloney claims he will have a contract waiting for the underdog in the changing rooms post-fight if he causes the upset. For now Tommy is just happy to be getting regular fights after his five-year hiatus and is thriving from gym work with his close knit team.

I was never going to knock this chance back. My coaches Gerard McCafferty and Alec Doherty both know I have a punchers chance. Ciaran Healy is in the team as well and young Paddy McGarrity (1-1 as a lightweight pro) is doing well too. Were a loyal group who have a great respect for one another and theres a good camaraderie among us.

Fights with the likes of Anthony Fitzgerald, Paddy McDonagh or a rematch with JJ could provide some excitement on the Irish fight scene. Tommy could be aiming for much bigger though if his plans come to fruition on Wednesday night and he knocks former Olympic bronze medallist Jeffries off his perch.

Tony Jeffries knows that Im in a win-win situation, theres no pressure on me whatsoever. Nobody is giving me a chance and I love being the underdog, so let people think that Im a stepping stone. Im not going to let him come over and knock me around like a punch bag.