Tom Whitfield v Daniel Cope title fight is ON and coach Mal Gates is buzzing

Tom Whitfield's crack at his first professional title is back on.
The last time they met: Tom Whitfield celebrates victory over Daniel Cope (right). Picture by JOE SPENCEThe last time they met: Tom Whitfield celebrates victory over Daniel Cope (right). Picture by JOE SPENCE
The last time they met: Tom Whitfield celebrates victory over Daniel Cope (right). Picture by JOE SPENCE

The South Shields fighter is to take on old rival Daniel Cope on Saturday, September 24, for the Northern Area welterweight championship, subject to British Boxing Board of Control ratification.

Whitfield was due to meet the Hartlepool boxer in March for the belt, only to suffer a fractured jaw in sparring.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the 29-year-old has recovered and is now fighting fit for the showdown at Morpeth Leisure Centre thanks to a strenuous training camp under coach Mal Gates at the Harton & Westoe Miners Welfare.

Whitfield defeated Cope on points back in March 2015 in a six-round derby cracker at Rainton Meadows and the re-match is eagerly anticipated.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Gates. “Daniel is a good kid and I have the utmost respect for him and his coach, Neil Fannan, but we’ve all got jobs to do.

“It’s a very good fight, the training camp has gone like a dream and we can’t wait for September 24.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s trained so well and so hard, I’ve been trying to slow him down because there are still seven weeks to go.

“Tom had terrible luck to get injured before their March date, but I think the rest has done him good. He looks fantastic.”