Hardy told to be positive

HORDEN light- welterweight Anth Hardy has been handed a challenge by his trainer: Take into the ring what you produce in the gym.

Coach Peter Cope has made his instructions ahead of the sixth fight of Hardy’s professional career against Birmingham veteran Jason Nesbitt in South Shields on Sunday.

Hardy has made what would appear to be a perfect start to his career, reeling off five straight wins.

He had Matt Seawright, Chris Bennett and Lee Gibbons in trouble in his first three, which all ended in points victories, and then came his best display, a points success over the battle- hardened Ibrar Riyaz.

But the 22- year- old failed to shine last time out and was flattered by a shut- out points victory over Barnsley’s Jamie Zaszlos.

“Anth has loads of talent and we see it in here every day,” Cope said.

“Now, he’s got to take what he does in the gym into the ring.

“Anth is an absolute joy to train – he is a good professional, he’s fit, he runs, he does his diet right. “He does everything asked of him. “But he’s now in a position where he needs to impress in a fight.

“Anth has shown flashes of his ability, but he’ll have a couple of good rounds and then go off the boil.

“He can do it in the gym but he must do it in the ring.”

Hardy will not have it easy on Sunday.

Nesbitt is one of the sport’s most seasoned campaigners – he is approaching his 200th bout and has clocked up a staggering 988 rounds.

But while survival is the name of the game for a journeyman, the Birmingham welterweight cannot be taken lightly.

He gave Gary Fox a scare at the Rainton Meadows Arena when the Fishburn fighter was in his early days as a pro. “If Anth is positive, boxes as he can and dominates the first round then Nesbitt will play it safe,” predicted Cope.

“But, if Anth gives him hope then he’ll have a go.”

Tickets are available from Anth on 07969 843203.