Hartlepool lightweight Peter Cope gets his career back on track with narrow victory in International Classic Challenge belt beating Cameroonian Abdon Cesar

Cope won the International Classic Challenge belt by beating Cameroonian Abdon Cesar, who now fights out of Stockton.

But it was a close call with the referee judging it 77-76 in the Hartlepool man’s favour.

And it would have been a tie, but for Cesar being decuted a point in the fourth round for holding.

Cope, though, deserved the win.

He started well and edged the opening two rounds.

As the fight progressed, Cope largely held the centre of the ring and looked to control proceedings.

After have a point deducted, Cesar showed more aggression and moved forward more but rarely had any real success.

The final round was a frantic affair, but Cope did enough to seal victory in front of his many fans.

On the same bill. Sunderland’s Lee Mould returned to the ring with a points victory over Fonz Alexander.

The Wearsider - dubbed the Mackem Mexican - won his 10th pro encounter with a 40-37 verdict over the Lincoln boxer over four rounds.