Highly-rated Seaham fighter Jordan Ellison faces up to tough Northern Area title task

The Seaham fighter faces undefeated Newcastle boxer Lewis Ritson tomorrow night for the vacant Northern Area lightweight belt.

Ritson, managed by co-promoter Phil Jeffries, will be in the home corner and is carrying the tag of favourite at the Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton.

But Cope says the 21-year-old will relish the challenge of causing an upset in a derby scheduled for 10 rounds.

“Jordan will not be fazed,” said the Gus Robinson Developments head coach. “Not one tiny bit.

“Since joining us, he’s been in with unbeaten kids, top prospects, big ticket sellers, a Commonwealth gold medallist and a world title challenger.

“And he’s done it all away from home – it’s how he wanted it, he wanted to learn and earn himself a few quid along the way.

“He’s truly an incredible kid with a proper good atititude and he has shown he can fight.

“Jordan has not looked out of place in any of the 10 fights he’s had since he joined Gus Robinson Developments.

“He will fight anyone – and has! Last month, he outboxed George Jupp, a Frank Warren kid on a Frank Warren show.

“Jupp got the decision but even he admitted he’d lost and the commentators on Frank ’s TV channel said Jordan won!

“I know we’re up against it tomorrow night – I know how good Lewis is and he really does impress me.

“But Jordan is one of the best prospects in the North East and he’s improving all the time.

“I think he has a chance, and Jordan does fancy it, but even if tomorrow is not his night I do believe he’s going to have a very good career and box for titles.”

Ritson has 11 wins to his credit – his fifth coming against Ellison, back in September 2015.

The 23-year-old, from Forest Hall, has one of the strongest jabs in the business and his right hook to the body is pretty mean too.

Those attributes make him the favourite, but Cope added: “Jordan’s strength will come naturally in time but it is something we’ve worked hard on.

“Lewis isphysically strong but Jordan has sparred with bigger lads to prepare for it.

“He did 10 rounds with John Green last week and I gave Jordan eight of them. I could not have asked any more of him and he has a chance.”

Tickets are available on the door at Rainton Meadows Arena.

Doors open at 6pm, with the boxing starting at 7.15pm