Worcester’s Owen Cooper put on an epic Performance when he took on Eithan James (23) from Northampton for his WBO European and the vacant English Welterweight titles at the Resorts World Birmingham (16.3.24). Cooper (23) was unbeaten in nine competitions with his opponent being twelve without defeat. The contest was scheduled for Ten three-minute rounds and was part of the Queensberry promotions show ‘The Magnificent Seven’ which aired live on TNT Sports. Cooper weighed in ten stone six with James coming in the same with Michael Alexander reffing.
Good start by both fighters with James using his jab well and Cooper trying to work his way in on the inside. Cooper was working well when he unleashed a cracking left hook that put James down, James got to his feet and took an eight count, Cooper came out flying as he looked to finish it in the first round and could mot miss with the left hook. The ref then paused the fight as James gum shield was knocked out which gave James time to recover and see the round out as Cooper poured on the pressure. James used his jab well at the start of the second but looked tentative every time Cooper unleashed anything, Cooper continued to land big left hooks and some good combinations to win the round. James was trying everything to keep Cooper at bay in the third, Switch hitting and landing some good shots, but nothing was stopping Cooper who walked through the shots to land his own big combinations. James moved well at the start of the fourth keeping on the outside as Cooper hunted him down looking to land big shots, quite round with Cooper just edging it.
James continued to move well in the fifth as he used his jab well to control the distance of the marauding Cooper who continued to press, James got this round for me. James started to press in the sixth round pushing Cooper to the ropes which seemed to suit Cooper who fought Jameson the inside winning the round. James continued to Switch stances in the seventh as he tried to control the pace of the fight, James covered up well and landed with Cooper having joy but would have to give this to James. James continued to try and control the pace in the eighth from a distance and did in points but Cooper continued to press and land the eye-catching shots finishing the round strong to win the round. James had slowed the pace in the ninth and landed some nice jabs, Cooper boxed well landing some massive left hooks and then landing a big right hand right at the end of the round.
As James sat in his corner his corner pulled him out of the fight.
The New WBO European & English Welterweight champion Owen Cooper.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great performance by Cooper who showcased some great skills and determination in a fight that should have been over in the first round. After the knockdown in the first James was done and his gum shield coming out was a saving grace for him as it seemed to take ages for him to have it put back in. I do not doubt that Cooper would have ended it in the first. Cooper has claimed English and a form of European title which has put him in contention for a shot at the Commonwealth, British, or even the EBU version of the European title. Cooper is now in a prime position to go all the way and is at a very exciting time in his career.
I look forward to seeing what route he will take to reach his goals.