Cooper Excited For Homecoming
Shaun Cooper’s homecoming excites him as much as the bout itself as he prepares to box on his own turf for the first time as a pro.
The unbeaten ‘Coalpool Warrior’ will make the short trip to Walsall Town Hall this evening.
The 21-year-old lightweight is vowing to put on a five-star show after building up four wins from four pro bouts, since turning pro last year.
He turned over with a debut points win over Qasim Hussain and has since defeated Luke Fash, David Zubrzycki and Liam Richards over the distance.
Only Zubrzycki - earning a share of the round - has stopped him winning a session, a trend Cooper is determined to repeat at the Town Hall.
His supporters and the people of Walsall will turn out in force to attend the bill, which Cooper reckons gives him all of the impetus he needs.
He’s a graduate of Walsall Wood Boxing Club who he represented in 43 fights, winning four area titles in England Boxing competition. He’s coached by Peter Hickenbottom.
He said: “I’ve been called ‘the Coalpool Warrior’ since I was a kid, because I was always fighting! I’ve been boxing since a young age.
“I’m ready for this one, I’ve trained really hard and it’s a buzz to be boxing in Walsall for the first time as a pro.
“It’s been Dudley and Birmingham for me, so far, and there’s no place like home. It will be good to show the people at the Town Hall who haven’t seen me box what I can do.
“I’m hoping this will be my last four-rounder, then I want to move on to six and then the title distances. I’d love to go for a Challenge belt at the start of next year.
“Hopefully, I’ll get another one under my belt on July 21 and then I’ll be straight back in camp, because you never know when I might get an opportunity.
“I’ll take any chance, even at short notice, that’s for something worthwhile because I’ll be fit, in the gym ticking over. Just ring my manager, Jon Pegg, and we’ll take it from there.”
Tickets, priced at £35 standard and £65 VIP ringside, are on sale now from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. It will be £40 for entry on the door.
The Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Bentley Mill Way, are the show’s headline sponsors. They will host the weigh in and after-show party (over 18s).