OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has accused amateur boxing chiefs of a “lack of respect” after signing a deal to turn professional this weekend.

Sunderland-born Jeffries signed his first professional deal on the Stadium of Light pitch during the half-time interval of Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Bolton.

The light heavyweight was one of just two British boxers to claim a medal in this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, and the Amateur Boxing Association had previously claimed they would do all they could to keep him in the amateur ranks ahead of the 2012 Games in London.

Instead, they have failed to put a contract offer on the table, and refused to pay a £5,000 medal bonus that Jeffries claims he is entitled to.

The 23-year-old also claims the ABA docked £2,000 of his funding because he was unable to attend two training sessions, one of which clashed with the much-publicised parade of British Olympians in Trafalgar Square.

“The ABA made a load of promises after I won my medal in Beijing,” said Jeffries.

“But they haven’t kept any of them, so to say that I’m disappointed would be a massive understatement.

“They’ve shown a total lack of respect, so it’s a big relief to have turned professional because now I don’t have to have anything to do with them.

“It’s not about the money, but they owe me £5,000 for a medal bonus. They’re trying to claim it didn’t apply at the Olympics, but every boxer that has ever won a medal at a European Championships, a World Championships or a Commonwealth Games has always been rewarded for their efforts. For some reason, that doesn’t seem to apply to me though.

“It’s just been one farce after another, but thankfully that’s all in the past now. My future is in the professional ranks and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jeffries has joined Sheffield promoter Dennis Hobson’s Fight Academy stable, and will compete in his first professional fight at Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena in February.

His opponent is still to be confirmed, but ITV have pledged to televise the bout and a sell-out crowd is expected.

Jeffries will spend the next two weeks choosing a trainer, with Richard Poxon, who trains former IBF world light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods, and Oliver Harrison, who has previously worked with Olympic medallist Amir Khan, currently two of the names in the frame.

“Dennis has taken a personal interest in my amateur career and understands my fan base here in North-East England,” added Jeffries.

“I am determined to be a credit to North-East England and to take Britain’s Olympic success on to the worldwide professional stage.”