Hartlepool boxer Peter Cope to fight Barnsley’s Andy Townend at Doncaster Dome

The Hartlepool boxer, crowned Northern Area lightweight champ last time out, is to fight Andy Townend in Doncaster on Saturday, November 29.

Cope is stepping back down to super-feather for a potential English championship eliminator against the in-form Barnsley boxer known as “The KO Kid”.

It is something of a gamble for the Gus Robinson Developments camp – taking on an in-form fighter in his own backyard.

Townend is the Central Area champ at super-feather, the 25-year-old winning his last two title bouts inside the distance.

But head coach – and dad of Peter – Peter Cope Snr told SportMail they are relishing the challenge at the Doncaster Dome.

“Promoter Stefy Bull is proposing this as an English title eliminator,” said Cope Snr.

“We’ve agreed the fight and the terms, but the proposal has to go before the British Boxing Board of Control first.

“We’re quietly confident it will be passed but that’s down to the Board.

“If it does and Peter wins then we are right back to where we were in the summer.

“We are on away turf against a good kid who can punch but this is a great opportunity for Peter.”

Cope challenged for the English belt in July in London, where he had the misfortune to come up against crafty cockney Mitchel Smith, who won the battle of the unbeaten prospects on points.

But the 23-year-old has responded well since his first pro defeat by winning the Northern Area lightweight crown earlier this month at South Shields against Middlesbrough’s John Green.

“You could say we are may be caught between weights at the moment,” said the Gus Robinson Developments head coach.

“Long-term, Peter looks like growing into a lightweight but, in the short-term, super-feather looks the best route.

“We could have continued at lightweight after winning the Northern Area title and may be had a six-rounder up here at the end of November.

“But Townend is a big contest and Peter wants meaningful fights.

“If we had to go and do a six-rounder then we would but while there is an opportunity like this then we’ll go for it.”