Luke Cope will give another demonstration of his “skill set and boxing brain” when he makes his second professional appearance this weekend.
So says coach Imran Naeem with Cope part of the five-fight Tear Up on Tyneside show at Dunston.
The ultra-accurate 20-year-old will fight another newcomer to the paid ranks, Dean Jones, at the Lancastrian Suite on Saturday night.
All five ‘home’ boxers are under the 10-bout mark, with Reece McAlliser making his debut.
Cope’s first steps and punches as a pro are still very much fresh in the memory.
His hand-speed and accuracy ensured total domination at Darlington back in May, when he registered a 40-36 shut-out against Naheem Chaudry.
Boxing under Frank Warren’s Queensberry banner and training under Naeem at the Natural Progression gym in Stockton, Luke could not be in better hands.
Imran said: “It’s not far off a year since Luke came over to me to start his pro boxing career.
“Quite frankly he’s been a pleasure to work with. His skill set and boxing brain far outweighs his tender years.
“We once again have the opportunity to take what we’ve been working on in the gym into competition.
“It’s been evident to me that he’s started to settle into a good technical yet high-paced style.
“His work with Andrew Burton at Active Body Con in Stockton has started to pay dividends, he’s growing day by day into a more mature boxer.
“In his next contest you’ll see much more of the same a clean and sharp performance behind a quality jab and good footwork be it on the front foot or back.”
Luke became the fourth of the fighting Hartlepool family to move into the paid ranks when he boxed at the Dolphin Centre in May.
The former amateur champion has followed in the ring steps of ex-English title challenger Peter, former Northern Area champ Daniel and Adam in turning professional, while his younger brother, Joe, is in the amateur ranks at Gus Robinson Developments.
Luke will be joined on the Steve Wraith and Phil Jeffries show at the Lancastrian Suite by Natural Progression team-mates ‘Turbo’ Terry Tyers and Mohammed Waqas, while the man he sparred at the weekend, Middlesbrough’s John Green, makes a welcome return to the ring after a three-year absence. The pair are pictured above with John’s coach Pete Shepperson (left) and Imran (right).
For tickets, go to www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com or contact any of the boxers.
Words: Roy Kelly
