As the second youngest of his boxing brothers, Luke Cope has had much to live up to. But what a talent.
And he gets the stage to display those talents on Saturday when he make his professional debut in Darlington.
The Hartlepool lightweight faces Naheem Chaudry over four rounds at the Dolphin Centre, where Steve Wraith stages a seven-fight bill.
Luke follows former English title challenger Peter (15-5), ex-Northern Area champ Daniel (6-2-1) and Adam (1-0) in going professional, while his younger brother, Joe, is still in the amateur ranks at Gus Robinson Developments in Hartlepool, where Luke honed his talent with coaches Tony Martin, David Robson and Wayne Short.
Boxing out of the Natural Progression gym in Stockton and under Frank Warren’s Queensberry banner, life could not be more promising for the 20-year-old (pictured above right with headliner Ellis Corrie).
Coach Imran Naeem said: “Luke has settled in brilliantly and is really looking the part.
“We’ve had him sparring a lot of rounds with Ellis Corrie and he’s done well.
“I can’t wait to see him in his first pro outing on Saturday night.”
A class act in the amateurs, and very elusive, he has proved he’s more than just a great mover.
He has had to show a tough mental attitude, winning the English lightweight belt on the road against Danny Quartermaine in Leamington and defending it in Macauley Owen’s backyard in Donington, before retaining it at home against a tough foe in Stephen Rolfe.
Cope’s contest with Chaudry, from Blackburn, is just part of a boxing bonanza in Darlington.
Darlington’s Corrie will face Newcastle’s Basi Razaq for the British Promoters Challenge belt over eight rounds while Ferryhill’s Richard O’Neill meets Greg O’Neil, from Hartlepool, over six.
Unbeaten Troy Williamson and comeback man Chris ‘Hightower’ Burton carry the Darlington flag in four-rounders at middleweight and heavyweight while Mark Downing makes a long-anticipated pro debut. Throw the gifted Martin Ward into the mix in his return to the ring and the show has star quality.
Words: Roy Kelly
