Hartlepool boxer Peter Cope will take a break following Northern Area title fight defeat to Middlesbrough’s John Green

The Hartlepool boxer lost his Northern Area lightweight title after a shock derby defeat to John Green at the Summer Rumble yesterday.

Cope was the favourite after beating the Middlesbrough boxer to win the vacant belt in South Shields last October.

But Green gained his revenge, winning 98-94 at the Stadium of Light.

Coach – and dad – Peter Snr said defeat was “massively disappointing” but it would not be a case of going “back to the drawing board” after just the third defeat of his 14-bout career.

The 24-year-old had no spark but the Gus Robinson Developments head coach does not believe his boxer has out-grown the weight.

“Fair play to John, he deserved his win,” said Peter Snr.

“We’ll have a month off and then see where we are.

“I don’t think it’s the weight Yes, he’s a big lad but I don’t think weight’s an issue.

“It’s a step back but it’s not back to the drawing board, he’s lost by a few rounds, it’s not like he’s been sorted out.

“We’ll look at everything, as we always do. It was massively disapointing, but, ultimately, was it just a bad day at the office?”

Green’s win and impressive performance immediately sparked interest of a possible decider – a third contest between two popular local rivals would doubtless be well supported.

“We’d box him again, I’m not saying we are, but there’s no reason why they can’t box for a third time,” said Cope Snr. “We’ll have a break, a sit down, and take it from there.”