JAFFA ‘SPARS’ WITH SUGAR RAY
Sunderland-born Olympian Tony Jeffries stepped into the virtual ring with boxing hero Sugar Ray Leonard for a quarantine sparring session.
Jaffa’s Box ‘N’ Burn gyms in LA can’t welcome their usual clients through the doors due to restrictions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Like many business owners, Tony had to adapt so he can still offer a service in line with social distancing measures and has been ploughing his efforts into how he can help people workout at home with online sessions.
His workout session son the Box‘ N’ Burn You tube page have been been viewed by thousands of people all over the world and boxing hero Sugar Ray Leonard asked if he could have a personal online session with Tony.
“I couldn’t believe that one of the greatest fighters of all time wanted to do a one-on-one workout with me,” said Tony, who now lives in LA with wife Sarah and their children Jay de, five, Jessie, four, and Jo die, two.
“I’ ve been boxing since I was 10 and there’s been pictures of him up in every gym I’ve been in, which is hundreds of gyms all over the world,” he added. “So to be able to do a session with him was amazing.”
World title holder Sugar Ray had visited Tony’s gyms prior to quarantine, but always in a group, so this is the first time Tony had worked with him one-on-one.
Speaking about the workout with the 63-year-old sporting hero, Tony said: “We did virtual mat work and sparring. He’s really fast and is in great shape, considering his age. He’ s had some hard fight sin his life, but he’ s still so switched on and it was a brilliant experience, something I’ll never forget.”
Not only has Tony been working out online with a boxing legend, he’s also done a fitness session with supermodel
Adriana Lima for Michelob Ultra who are providing free work outs with the option of donations for fitness businesses, which are matched by the lowcalorie beer brand.
“Adriana is super successful at what she does, so it was amazing to do a live workout with her, whilst also raising awareness to help fitness studios,” he said. “With the gym closed we’re barely making any revenue and we have more than 40 employees, so for the brand to match donations is a big help to keep us going.” Wife Sarah, meanwhile, is working hard at the frontline of the healthcare crisis as lead nurse educator of the emergency department at Saint John hospital in Santa Monica.