Brooks to train Jeffries

Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has appointed top American Tommy Brooks as his new trainer.

The heavyweight fighter has been searching for a new trainer after he split with Bobby Rimmer earlier in the summer and hopes Brooks can lead him to a world title.

Brooks is most famous for his work with Evander Holyfield but has also worked with Mike Tyson, the Klitschko brothers, Pernell Whitaker and Hasim Rahman.

"I have no doubt that Tony has made the right choice," Jeffries' promoter Frank Maloney said.

"Tommy isn't just a coach, but also a teacher and that is exactly what Tony needs to help him develop. I have seen Tommy work with fighters and he is one of the best trainers in the world."

Brooks has already been impressed by Jeffries attitude and thinks he can bring out the 25-year-old's true potential.

Time

"I am looking forward to working with Tony and I am sure that given time with each other we will form a good team and I can get the best out of him," Brooks said.

"From our conversations it is clear he is willing to learn and there is plenty to work with."

Jeffries (7-0-1) is still unbeaten as a pro but suffered a setback when he could only draw with Michael Banbula (10-25-3) in July.

But Maloney, who once recommended Brooks to former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, is not concerned that the start of the Sunderland fighter's career has been less explosive than expected.

He added: "There has been criticism aimed at Tony, but people need to remember that two years ago he had never ever been in a professional gym to train."

"He will get a lot of one-to-one training with Tommy and will come on for it."

Jeffries will be based in Los Angeles while training before returning to Sunderland to complete preparations 10 days before each fight.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6391461,00.html

Sensible move. Jeffrires has struggled lately when he should have.

He has the amateur pedigree and technically sound skills. Hopefully Brooks brings him on.

Good move by Jeffries and Frank Maloney.