OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has suffered a false start to his professional career after his deal with Sheffield promoter Dennis Hobson fell through.

Sunderland light-heavyweight Jeffries had been hoping to make his professional debut in his home city in March after signing a deal with Hobson on the pitch at the Stadium of Light in November.

But Jeffries believes the deal has now been declared void because Hobson has been let down in his hopes of securing a series of television dates for his new star signing.

Hobson refused to comment on the issue but Jeffries said he would shrug off his frustration and look ahead, claiming a number of leading rival promoters had already been in touch.

Jeffries admitted: ‘‘I’m gutted and I’m skint.

“I haven’t been paid since my last pay packet from the amateurs in October and I was really looking forward to making my professional debut in March.

‘‘I’ve been training since Christmas to make the supermiddleweight limit and there’s been such a buzz around Sunderland I reckon I could have sold 500 tickets already without even trying.

‘‘I don’t blame Dennis because it’s obvious he’s been let down too. But I’ve missed a lot publicity-wise with the other Olympians all ready to make their debuts. All I want to do is get back in the ring and fight.’’