Jordan Ellison is ready to Rumble after been given the opportunity to become a two-weight Northern Area champion.
Promoter Phil Jeffries has delivered a belter of a derby for his 10th Summer Rumble by matching Ellison with Hartlepool’s Adam Cope for the vacant 135lb belt on Sunday, July 17 in Sunderland.
The Seaham fighter already holds the light-welterweight title, or super-lightweight, if you are that way inclined, having outpointed another unbeaten North-East prospect, Terence Wilkinson, at Houghton last November.
Cope represents another major test but one he is confident of passing at the Stadium of Light.
He told punch-lines there was no hesitation when he was offered the fight, even though Adam is someone he knows extremely well.
Ellison shared the same Gus Robinson Developments gym in Hartlepool with the undefeated boxer and was trained by Adam’s dad, Peter Cope, for the majority of his career.
“I didn’t need any persuasion at all to take this fight,” said Ellison. “As soon as I was offered it I said ‘I’ll have it’.
“Me and Adam have known each other years, even going back before we were in the same gym – we both went to East Durham College in Peterlee.
“Peter trained me for five years and I know Adam and all the family well.
“But consciously or sub-consciously I think we both knew that one day we would end up fighting each other.
“Adam is a good, fit, aggressive fighter and it’s going to be a hard fight but I won’t be thinking too much about what he can do, I’ll be thinking about what I can do.
“This is my opportunity to become a two-weight Northern Area champion.
“I’m already the super-lightweight champion and when I win the lightweight title I might be making a little history, I’m not sure anyone has held two titles at the same time, that’s my motivation.”
Ellison has spent much of his boxing life on the road, almost always boxing against either unbeaten prospects or ticket-sellers.
As a consequence, Jordan’s record is not the most flattering with 13 wins and three draws from 54 outings.
But as Wilkinson discovered at the Rainton Arena, Ellison is a very tough and determined rival, with the Seaham 26-year-old edging a hard-fought title scrap 97-95, from referee Ron Kearney.
“It was the most satisfying night of my career,” said the boxer now managed and trained by Leeds fight-figure Michael Marsden.
“I’ve always been in the away corner, when I won my other title with Peter, the Challenge belt, that was down in Kent and was a great night.
“But the Northern Area title is more prestigious and winning it at super-lightweight felt brilliant.
“Winning a second is another step further and I can’t wait.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
