Hartlepool boxer Peter Cope to headline Darlington show with title fight

Boxer Peter Cope (right) with his sponsor, Kevin Lloyd, at the Gus Robinson Developments Gym. Picture: DAVID WOOD

The two towns may be bitter old football rivals but Cope will top the bill when Geordie boxing figure Steve Wraith stages a big show at the Dolphin Centre on Friday, May 13.

Cope will challenge for a belt on the promotion as the Gus Robinson Developments camp look to move the 24-year-old back into the championship picture.

Coach and dad, Peter Cope Snr, said: “This is fantastic news – Peter needs to prove himself and this is the perfect stage to do it.”

Cope’s employer and backer, Netting Services Limited, is sponsoring the southpaw’s bout which will carry some form of title, possibly the British Promoters Association Classic Challenge belt.

But coach Cope says it is what the win may lead to, rather than the prize itself, which is the key fact.

“Peter is a class act, I have no doubts about that,” said the trainer. “I’ve seen what he can do in the gym and he’s been away sparring with world title challenger Stephen Smith and more than held his own.

“But he now needs to show that in the ring and I’m confident he will.

“Thanks to NSL and his boss, Kevin Lloyd, Peter has an opportunity to move his career forward.

“There is no opponent yet, but the matchmaker is looking for a good, viable fighter.

“We want someone who will give Peter a proper fight – he will either be someone ranked or with a good record.

“We had a great match for Peter in Preston in February against the Central Area champion, Kofi Yates.

“Had he won that, we’d have been getting on to the British Boxing Board of Control to try to press our claims.

“It ended up being called off and he’s had to bide his time, but a win at the Dolphin Centre against a good fighter and he’s back in business.”

Cope has won 12 of his 15 pro fights – his only three defeats coming in 10-round championship-standard bouts.

“He’s only lost three times – the first to a top-class kid, Mitchell Smith, Andy Townend who’s knocking people out left, right and centre, and then John Green.

“I give credit to John for his display [for the Northern Area title match] but for whatever reason Peter never turned up at the Stadium of Light. Now he has to turn up and produce the goods.”