Neil Fannan knows a thing or two about the Northern Area Championship, so when he talks about Sunday’s title showdown in Sunderland it’s worth listening.
Seaham takes on Hartlepool for the vacant lightweight belt at the Stadium of Light, where Jordan Ellison (left) aims to clinch his second Northern crown against Adam Cope, having becoming the light-welterweight champ last November.
It might come as no great shock to learn Fannan is backing his fellow Poolie but says Cope “will have to pull out all the stops” if he is to prevail at the Summer Rumble.
Fannan guided two Hartlepool greats to Northern Area glory, Ian Cooper to the super-middleweight title in 2001 against Micky White in only his fifth contest and later that year, Michael Hunter to a super-bantamweight triumph over John Barnes in his eighth.
It is still early days for Adam who is in bout five and Fannan, who trained Adam at the start of his professional career, will be in his corner at the weekend assisting Cope’s coach, Andrew Close.
“I never try to get carried away by a boxer, but I do believe Adam has got something,” said the experienced fight figure.
“This is the right fight for him, the right step forward.
“But that is meant as no disrespect to Jordan Ellison, who is a true fighting man.
“I’m expecting Adam to win but he’ll still have to pull out all the stops to do it.”
Ellison is certainly a true fighting man given his many wins on the road against unbeaten men and ticket sellers.
He ended the 100 per cent record of Terence Wilkinson back in November, the 26-year-old edging a cracker with the Forest Hall fighter for the light-welterweight
It was one of eight scalps of unbeaten fighters but Fannan does not believe there will be a ninth on Sunday.
“I see similarities to the fights Michael and Ian had when they became Northern Area champions,” he said. “They were up against good, seasoned opposition, but they came through and I’m expecting the same with Adam.
“Jordan is a true fighter, who knows how to pull off the odd upset.
“He thought he’d beat Terry Wilkinson because Terry had not been in a proper fight and that rung true.
“This is the fight when we’ll see what Adam is about.
“I’ve had a high opinion of him all the time I’ve known him and while he likes to get stuck in, there is a lot more skill than you think.
“He’s got a great engine and I like his temperament and his dedication to the sport.
“I’m a big fan of Jordan too because of his attitude to boxing and I know he’ll box out of his skin, but my honest opinion is that if Adam performs as he can, I only see one winner.”
Tickets will be available at the main entrance at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Doors will open at noon with the show due to start around 1.30pm.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
