Hartlepool boxer Daniel Cope to fight Danny LIttle in big Borough Hall show

The 24-year-old had hoped for a re-match with Tom Whitfield, the fighter who defeated him at Rainton Meadows Arena in March.

Promoter Phil Jeffries wanted the rivals to square up for a Northern Area title showdown, but that bout has not come off.

Instead, Cope will face Yorkshire’s Danny Little in a four-round shoot-out.

Cope is part of a four-strong Gus Robinson Developments team in action at the Headland venue, alongside younger brother Peter, Liam Cammock and Anth Hardy.

Daniel’s opponent, from Driffield, has lost four in a row, but has only been stopped once, that coming in the fifth round against the current British and European champion, Terry Flanagan.

Peter Cope Snr, Gus Robinson Developments head coach – and Daniel’s dad – says there was frustration over the Whitfield fight but are fully focused on Little.

“This isn’t an easy fight – far from it,” said Cope Snr. “Yes, we wanted Tom, but I am not shocked it didn’t happen.

“I don’t think he fancied coming down here.

“But Daniel’s all set for Little.

“He may have a losing record but I know his style and he’s a lad that comes to give it a go.

“Only Terry Flanagan has stopped him and he’s a lad heading towards world class, so Daniel needs to be at the top of his game and know he’s up against someone who cannot be blown away.

“Daniel has made a good start as a pro. It’s just his fourth contest and he only had 24 bouts as an amateur, so it’s about getting him experience and the right tests.

“This is the right test for him – Little gives it a go.

“We’re very pleased with the start Daniel’s made and we’re looking to keep that going.

“He’s in fantastic shape and had his last spar last night with Liam [Cammock].

“We’re looking forward to the show – it seems to have caught the imagination and tickets are moving nicely.

“We have four boxers on the bill and I’ll be looking for four wins.”

All the Gus Robinson boxers now have opponents for the event promoted by Jeffries, in association with Dave Garside.

SportMail has already reported that Peter Cope Jnr will fight Lee Connelly and unbeaten Anth Hardy will take on the Fonz, Derbyshire’s Fonz Alexander.

Cammock has now been matched, with one of the game’s most enduring fighters, Matt Seawright.

The seasoned campaigner, from Tamworth, who fought Hardy at the Stadium of Light in 2013, will be no pushover for the new pro, who made a winning debut at Houghton on March when he defeated Mick Mills.

“Seawright is proper awkward,” said Cope Snr. “Liam is coming a long nicely.

“It’s an education process and this is the next stage. Liam will come up against punchers, movers, everything, so he needs to adapt.

“Here is coming up against as awkward a lad as you’ll find.”

The show is expected to have up to 10 contests, including two of Wearside’s crowd-pleasers, Glenn Foot and Isaac Macleod.

For tickets, call Peter on 07815991247.