He comprehensively beat Hungary's Imre Szello to move into the light-heavyweight semi-final at the Workers' Gymnasium in Beijing.

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Jeffries was in front all the way, going on to secure an accomplished 10-2 victory – his third win in three meetings with Szello.

Their last contest at the EU Nations tournament in Poland a couple of months ago had been a bloody battle.

But Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club's Jeffries had the better of his opponent throughout in Beijing, the Hungarian unable to get through his tight guard and having no answer to Wearsider's fast, straight punching.

Jeffries, 23, was 2-1 up at the end of a close first round but started to open up a crucial gap in the second, scoring with clean shots to be 5-1 ahead at the half-way mark.

A straight left shook Szello in the third, which ended with Jeffries 9-2 ahead and needing only to stay out of trouble in the fourth and final round.

Szello knew he needed something special, but could not raise his game and took a standing count after being was picked off again by the slick Mackem.

Jeffries – with dad Phil watching in the stands - produced a leap of joy as the bout ended to confirm his semi-final place against Ireland's Kenny Egan.

Jeffries is the first British light-heavyweight to claim an Olympic medal since Don Scott won silver at the London Games in 1948.

He is the second Brit fighter to secure a Beijing medal, following team captain David Price, the Liverpool super-heavyweight.