The 24-year-old Olympian took part in a workout in front of the crowds to raise funds for the Grace House Hospice Appeal.

He said: "Doing something like this is a great way to keep the charity's name out there.

"Also, people who watch you fight on the telly don't always realise what hard work goes into your training, so this is a way of showing them."

Tony's coach Bobby Rimmer, Ricky Hatton's former assistant coach, pictured, took the local hero through his paces.

He said: "Tony is getting stronger and fitter every week in preparation for his next fight.

"It's great for the kids to be able to come down here and see their hero and it's also a great thing for Sunderland to have an Olympian. We did a similar thing with Ricky Hatton in Manchester and it went down really well."

Boxers from the Lambton Street Boxing Club and the Olympian Boxing Gym, Ryhope, also stepped inside the ring to show off their skills.

Tony, who stayed on after the workout to sign T-shirts and posters, said: "It's great for amateur boxers to be able to get the chance to do this. If I can inspire kids to get into boxing then that is an achievement in itself."

The workout was staged as part of Tony's warm-up for his next professional fight, at the Seaburn Centre on Friday, July 10.

Tickets for the show cost £40 (unreserved seats) and £80 (ringside) and are available by calling 564 0202, 07747 611020 or Total Sports 567 9043.