BILLY SNAITH turned the tables on his former stable-mate Daniel Cope on Saturday as he claimed the Northern Area welterweight title, writes Peter Mann.

The bitter rivals traded blows over ten rounds at Hardwick Hall, with Snaith deservedly getting the final verdict after dominating for the majority of the fight.

The new Area champion was claiming his fifth victory, and his second title after a recent challenge belt success.

“That felt great,” said Snaith. “I joined up with Steve (Wraith) and the Saunders camp to win titles and I’ve now got two. There was a lot of hype in the build-up to this fight with Dan but I went in there and did what I had to do.

“Daniel is a good fighter, and I do have respect for him and his family, but now it’s my turn and I’m the first ever Northern Area champion from Ferryhill. Words can’t describe how I feel right now, but that’s for everyone who has stuck by me.”

Cope produced an unexpectedly lacklustre display, and admitted after the fight that he had no one to blame other than himself.

“I don’t have any excuses,” said Cope. “I trained hard, sparred hard and made the weight right.

“I just couldn’t get out of fist gear and just ended up fighting Billy’s fight and pace. After the fight I just stood in my corner and said to Fanno (trainer Neil Fannon), ‘That was flat’.

“He just agreed. I don’t know why and I don’t suppose I ever will. Respect to Billy, he did what he needed to get the win and when he spoke after he said the re-match is there if I want it  - hopefully it comes off. I can’t apologise enough, it really wasn’t me in there.”

The main support to the title fight came courtesy of Jeff Saunders, with the Fishburn fighter taking his professional tally to 11 straight wins with a stoppage success over Birmingham’s Chris Truman.

Saunders finished things in the fifth round, dropping Truman with a blow that meant his opponent was unable to beat the referee’s count.

“He was a tough lad, a good fighter who took a lot from me,” said Saunders. “We both came to do a job, but I knew I had him going, especially in the third.

“I am still learning, even though this was my 11th win, but I picked up a good win, my first title and I hope that it’s the first of many.”