For brotherly love instead read brotherly glove.
Adam Cope has returned to the sport almost three years after his one and only professional appearance … and he will have brother, Peter, as his coach.
The 24-year-old super-featherweight, rated by many as the pick of a popular and talented band of boxing brothers, is in training at the New Welfare gym in Hartlepool and will look to fight again when ‘normal’ shows return to the calendar.
He will be managed by the North-East’s premier boxing figure, Phil Jeffries so there is another box ticked.
Adam has been inactive since a winning debut against Youssef Al Hamidi at the famous Borough Hall back in September 2019, the same evening Tom ‘One Bomb’ Hill made his professional bow.
Cope, then under legendary Hartlepool boxing figures Neil Fannan and Dave Garside, moved away from the fight game to concentrate on his day job and his young family.
But the former amateur English lightweight champion is now looking to get his career moving again and under the guidance of his big brother.
At this point, punch-lines must state that Peter must gain his trainer’s licence from the British Boxing Board of Control but that should be a formality.
“Adam looks great,” said the former Northern Area champion, who retired in July 2019.
“I need to get my trainer’s licence through but we are unsure when shows will be going ahead properly because of the COVID.
“We’ve enjoyed training in the New Welfare gym and we’ll look forward to getting started when boxing resumes.
“Adam was a top quality amateur and can definitely go a long way as a professional.
“We’re loving being in the gym and looking forward to the journey.”
Peter has started coaching at a young age (he is only 29) but dad, Peter Snr, began training in his 20s and has enjoyed quite a career, so you would not bet against the ex-English title challenger from being a triumph.
A top-notch boxer in his own right, Peter Jnr’s bumps and bruises are still relatively fresh and, of course, his relationship with Adam is a close one from a family who have boxing in their DNA.
Brothers Peter, Daniel, Luke and Adam have all represented Gus Robinson Developments ABC with great success and fought professionally, their combined pro record standing at 25-7, including two Northern Area triumphs for Peter and Daniel. Eldest brother, Lee, also boxed and coached (do you see the pattern here?) while teenager Joe boxes for Gus Robinson’s.
Words: Roy Kelly
