Hartlepool boxer Peter Cope sees Preston fight with Kofi Yates called off

Peter Cope (centre) with Anth Hardy (left) and Billy Snaith at the Gus Robinson Boxing Gym Picture by DAVID WOOD

The Hartlepool boxer had been set for a mouth-watering eight-rounder in Preston with Kofi Yates on Saturday, February 20.

But the Manchester fighter’s camp have pulled the plug on the bout at the Guild Hall, according to Cope’s coach – and father – Peter Cope Snr.

“It’s a blow, but that’s boxing and unfortunately these things happen,” Cope Snr told SportMail.

“But it’s their show so their prerogative who Kofi fights I guess.

“It looked a proper good fight between two up-and-coming lads who are just below English title level at this moment in time.

“Yates and his people have ambitions in that regard and probably saw Peter as a good name on his record if Kofi beat him.

“Kofi is the Central Area champion and if Peter had gone and beaten him then we’d have been going to the British Boxing Board of Control pressing our claims.

“It’s unfortunate but I think they probably see Peter as too much of a risk.

“Things are going nicely for them.

“I think Kofi has won 12 out of 13, and they probably do not want to jeapordise that.

“If there was a title riding on it, they would probably go for it, but they’ve may be decided it’s not worth the risk.”

The Gus Robinson Developments star, who has won 12 of his 15 contests, has been training hard at the West View Road HQ and Cope Snr says they will take a fight for him.

“Peter’s in good nick and ready to fight, should an opportunity come along,” said the coach. “We’re grateful to his sponsors and employers, NSL, for giving him time to train for this bout.

“It is a shame this fight has fallen through but we are confident about the future.

“Peter needs an opportunity and then take his gym form into the ring.”

One man at Stranton House who is currently doing just that is Anth Hardy.

The “Horden Hitman”, who made an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant English light-welterweight title last year against Joe Hughe, in Bath, will be the next Gus Robinson man in action.

Hardy will attempt to win the British Promoters Association Challenge belt in Rotherham on Saturday, February 6, when he faces Sheffield’s Sam O’maison.

One of the gym’s most recent signings, Billy Snaith, is due to box in March.