Maloney is still hopeful that both of his Olympic medallists – Sunderland's Tony Jeffries and Dublin's Darren Sutherland – will be on the Sky Sports bill at the Seaburn Centre next Friday.

Sutherland suffered a minor cut in his hard-fought win over Ukrainian Gennadiy Rasalev at London's York Hall on Tuesday.

It has been reported that Ireland's Beijing bronze medallist was definitely out of next week's Wearside date, but Maloney is giving him every chance to recover.

He told the Echo: "I really want to see Tony and Darren share the bill next Friday because they are two of the most exciting fighters around.
"Darren got a little nick under his eye on Tuesday and I'm 60 per cent confident he'll be fine for next week.

"He's desperate to fight. When we came to Sunderland to promote the show the other week, he loved the welcome he got. He's the kind of lad who would fight every week for me.

"The cut didn't need stitches and is closing up nicely. The swelling was more of a worry, but we're having him seen by a doctor on Monday and will make a decision then."

Sutherland is unbeaten in four professional contests while Jeffries will look to extend his record to 3-0 when he returns to his native Wearside again.

Both men could eventually contest the super-middleweight division together, and Maloney believes that's a mouthwatering prospect.

"Down the road, I would love to see Tony and Darren fight each other for a world or European title at the Stadium of Light," he said. "I think it would be a great fight. They're good friends, but that wouldn't be a problem.

"With the Irish connections at the Stadium of Light, a Jeffries-Sutherland title fight would be a huge draw and I'd love to see that happen."

Lee Haskins' British super-flyweight title defence against Ross Burkinshaw tops the Seaburn Centre bill next Friday (July 10).

A limited number of tickets, priced £40, are still available by calling 07747 611020.