Tony Jeffries is a current Olympic Bronze Medalist  after picking up the medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.  Since then he has turned professional and is undefeated in the Super Middleweight division having signed with Frank Maloney in 2009.  He is a massive advocate of social media with a great following on both Facebook and Twitter and took a few minutes out to speak to UKSN this week.

You can follow his progress on Twitter.com/Tony_Jeffries and Facebook.com/olympian.tony

Hi Tony and thanks for taking the time out to speak to the UK Sports Network.  You won the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, how did that change your life professionally and personally?

It’s really changed my life loads!  Professionally it give me a short cut to becoming a “TV” fighter from day 1 which means I get the publicity and all my fights televised without winning a title which most fighters need to do to get there fight on the TV every fight.  Personally I get recognised a lot and asked for picture – I get asked to do charity events, visit schools hospitals and open shops.  Just things like that mean a lot to me, people taking time out to come and say hello.

You have obviously been an early embracer of Social Media, when did you first start using Facebook and Twitter and what was the catalyst for it?

I started on Facebook just before the 2008 Olympics.  Before Facebook I was on MySpace, the whole boxing team was.  Twitter was over a year ago – the reason was just because everyone was on them and still is and I think it’s a great way to keep in touch with people. 

How has Social Media helped in your time as a Pro – what would you say are the benefits of its use to you?

There are a lot of benefits from it.  I have nearly 17k on my Facebook page and about 7k followers on twitter – which is amazing – it’s pretty powerful too because I can get in touch with around 24 thousand people just by sending one text message from my phone.  It’s a great way to inform people about up and coming fights, speak to boxing fans and keep track of my friends 

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) seems to be taking some of the people who were boxing fans and converted them with a heavy emphasis on Social Media.  Do you think that the boxing governing bodies could and should learn from them?

Yeah defo!  I think UFC are great at promoting and sometimes boxing is stuck in the olden days.  Social media is so massive now I don’t know many people who don’t use it!  So boxing should take a leaf out of Dana White’s book.  

I’m putting together an article on how (and if) social media can help athletes gain sponsorship.  Was this something you took into account and has it succeeded?

It definitely helps, its great to tell a potential sponsor I can get in touch with so many people at one time.  I tell them I can help advertise there company on there.

If you could give any advice to the footballers who have recently been caught out with their twitter rants what would it be?

I think they should speak their mind and answer to fans.  There are a lot of footballers and celebs who don’t reply to people.  I think that’s arrogant, I mean I understand footy players get paid a fortune and have to watch what they saying but I just think they should reply to more fans.  I think Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) is great and Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) has gained a lot more fans and respect through twitter. 

Finally, what are your plans for your social media activities? How do you see it working for you in the future?

I just keep doing what I’m doing, I enjoy speaking to people and speaking my mind and I thank everyone who followers me on twitter and Facebook.

A massive thanks to Tony for the interview.  Remember to catch up with him on Facebook and Twitter, is certainly going to be one to watch in the Pro Boxing world in the coming months and years.

What are your thoughts on how boxers and boxing can utilise Social Media to popularise the sport once again and do you have any questions for Tony?