My debt to a real hands-on supporter

By Tony Jeffries on Nov 24, 09 03:31 PM

I WAS able to get back into sparring after my injury yesterday, thanks to my friend Pete Friar.

For those of you who don't know, Pete is the physio at Sunderland Football Club and just one of the many people at the Stadium of Light who have really supported me since I turned professional as a boxer.

Pete's been to three of my four pro fights cheering me on but just recently his support has been more hands-on.

As most of you will know, fight number five of my career had been pencilled in for Nottingham last Friday night but a perforated ear drum meant the closest I got to the action was a seat at ringside. My return was rescheduled for December 11 in Newport but even that was in a little bit of doubt when I pulled something in my back recently.

Fortunately, though, I was able to drop by and see Pete, who has got me back into shape for the fight. It wasn't just Pete I had to thank, of course. It was Steve Bruce who told me I could use the Academy of Light facilities whenever I wanted, just as the previous manager Ricky Sbragia did. Niall Quinn the chairman has also been a big supporter of mine.

I speak to Pete regularly. He's always keeping on top of how I'm doing. He's a really good physio and it was only a couple of days before I was okay.

It's not long before I am back in the ring but I'm confident I'll be ready for the fight because I was pretty fit before the ear injury.

I don't know who I'll be fighting yet because my promoter, Frank Maloney, wanted me to concentrate on getting back in training before I started thinking about opponents. I'm expecting an announcement next week.

In some ways watching Friday's show was a bit disheartening for me, because I knew I could have been involved in it. But it was a class night of boxing and I was really pleased to see Rendall Monroe keep his titles, because I know he's worked really hard.

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