Hartlepool boxer Adam Cope starts ABA championship with TTW semi-final win over Middlesbrough's Aaron Howden
The Hartlepool boxer, who was an ABA bronze medallist in 2015 in his debut in the prestigious competition, was involved in the TTW semi-finals at Aycliffe on Saturday.
Cope outpointed Middlesbrough Hall Close boxer Aaron Howden.
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Hide AdThe Boro fighter, the much stockier of the two and less experienced at this level, came out swinging with hooks in the hope of catching the Gus Robinson Developments star cold.
However, Howden was met with some quality counter-punching from Cope which he found difficult to handle.
Cope duly won the first round but sustained a graze above the bridge of his nose from a head clash.
The 19-year-old controlled his opponent in the same fashion throughout the second and third round, protecting the cut from any further damage to win on a unanimous decision.
He now boxes in the TTW lightweight final tomorrow night in North Shields against Birtley’s highly-decorated former junior Jake Slater.