SEDGEFIELD’S Jeff Saunders is happy to be learning his trade as he prepares to showcase his skills in Darlington on May 13, writes Peter Mann.

Saunders, who successfully stepped up to six rounds with an impressive win over Mark McKray in Leeds earlier this month, will be one of the star attractions on the ‘Friday 13 Fight Night’ bill at the Dolphin Centre.

He will be joined by Hartlepool’s Peter Cope, who fights Barnsley’s ‘Beefy’ Brad Botham for the British Challenge belt, as well as Darlington trio Neil Hepper, Lloyd Creighton and Ste Cooper.

Saunders, who is the younger brother of former Olympian Brad, will be having his third outing in 12 weeks, and cannot wait to get back into the ring to show what he is capable of. Having had to travel to South Africa in November to take on McKray, he is confident the experience will have done him no end of good.

“I’m progressing well and learnt a lot from my first six rounder,” said Saunders. “It was a good experience and I had a bit longer in which to do things. I don’t want to be jumping the gun though moving forward, I want to learn the trade a bit more and see where it takes me.”

Cope is similarly determined to put on a show, having endured a frustrating last six months that have seen title fights and eliminators fall by the wayside.

Earlier this month, he was set to challenge for the English lightweight strap against Ohara Davies in London, only for the Davies camp to opt to face Andy Keates instead.

“I’m ready mentally for a fresh start as I’ve had too many pull-outs lately so this is good for me now,” said Cope.

“I’m grateful for the chance and I’m hoping that, although this is a hard fight, it should open some doors for me. I still don’t think people have seen the best of me and I’ve been a professional for five years now. The no reason why either, it’s just not happened fully yet.”

Then there is the returning Darlington trio – Hepper left the sport 18 months ago without fulfilling his potential, Creighton’s return has been some seven-plus years in the making, and Cooper has also had a leave of absence after a bright start to his professional career.

“I can’t wait to get back in there and there’s no better place for me than here, in Darlington,” said Hepper. “I want to put on a display for fans old and new and believe the timing is perfect for it.

“We’ve known about the show for some time and now I’m training with the elite at the Saunders gym. It’s full of talented lads, not just Jeff, and I’m understanding boxing more and have matured a lot because of it.”

*Tickets for the ‘Friday 13 Fight Night’ at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, sponsored by Elixir @ Bijou and Grosvenor Casino Stockton, are available from all fighters and from www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com.