Hartlepool boxer Daniel Cope learning to be a better fighter

The 26-year-old overcame a tough Eastern European test at the hands of Arvydas Trizno in Gateshead on Friday night.

Hands may be a slight exaggeration – it was the thumping right fist of the Lithuanian which made it an uncomfortable evening at times for the Gus Robinson Developments welterweight.

However, Cope showed large amounts of discipline and resilience to clinch hard-fought 39-37 victory at the Lancastrian Suite.

Cope lost the first and had to take a few right-handers to the head before getting the verdict.

The four-rounder was a substitute bout for the plannned Northern Area championship derby shoot-out with Tom Whitfield.

The unbeaten South Shields fighter had to pull out after breaking his jaw in sparring, but was at ringside in Dunston.

Whitfield is unlikely to have any sleepless nights after watching Cope’s win, but trainer – and dad – Peter said the contest was just what was needed.

“It was a massive learning fight, he will have taken so much from that bout,” said the Gus Robinson Developments head coach.

“You have to remember Daniel only had 20-odd amateur fights, he’s not an Ian Cooper, Michael Hunter, Kevin Bennett or Nigel Wright who had over 100, ABA finals, England etc.

“It’s still all about building his experience.

“Afterwards, Daniel was a bif frustrated - ‘I wish I’d done this’ and ‘wish I’d done that’ type of thing but it was a win and he boxed to his orders.

“There was never going to be any fireworks after the first round because he was told not to.

“He could have got stuck in, left his chin out, but he was disciplined and boxed as we asked him to.

“Yes it’s nice to get steady fights and wins but that was a fantastic learning fight.

“It was Cope’s fifth win and his trainer believes it was his best, given the threat presented by Trizno.

“We knew Trizno had a bit of a right hand and while he’s a very experienced fighter and lost a few, he’s no journeyman,” said Cope Snr.

“He’s probably the best Daniel’s fought so far.

“He came to fight and you could see he fancied his chances.

“He was dangerous and after the first round we got him to box to orders, no standing in front of him and letting him load up his right hand.

“Me and Alan [Temple] told him to keep busy on the jab and in the way of discipline, he never got too excited or raggy.

“We were pleased.”