BEIJING, August 19, 2008 (AFP) - British boxer Tony Jeffries said he would immortalise his exploits in poetry after clinching an Olympic light heavyweight bronze, at least, on Tuesday.

Jeffries, who runs a burger van in his native Sunderland, beat Hungary's Imre Szello 10-2 to reach the semi-finals and guarantee Britain's second boxing medal.

The six-foot-two (1.88m) Jeffries is known for his poetry and said he would 'definitely' write an ode to his Olympics experience.

He said he had been writing poems since he arrived in Beijing but mostly for his girlfriend.

'I've been doing a few poems,' he said. 'I've jotted a few poems down they were a bit soppy. They're for my girlfriend.'

He said he was 'too hyped after the fight' to remember any of his lines.

Jeffries, 23, has twice come close to dropping out of the sport after 11 months out with a hand injury and following his Commonwealth Games defeat to Scotland's Kenny Anderson.

'I've had my ups and down like most boxers,' he said.

'But this is a dream come true. To get here was brilliant, now getting a medal is the proudest moment of my life.'

Jeffries will fight Ireland's Kenny Egan for a place in the final. British super heavyweight David Price also reached the semis on Monday.