Shaun Cooper is ready to rebuild from the ground up and get back into the title chase.
First comes action at the H Suite in Edgbaston, Birmingham, during a weekend double-header of shows staged by BCB Promotions, set for October 16 and 17.
Walsall’s Cooper steps through the ropes on Sunday, looking to bounce back from two defeats in his past three outings, after starting his pro career with nine straight wins.
The most impressive of those victories was a 10-round majority points decision over Boy Jones, with the WBO Youth lightweight title on the line.
He curried favour with two of the three judges, by margins of 97-93 and 96-94. The other scored it a 95-95 draw. That landed him a shot at the vacant Midlands crown.
Jack O’Keeffe landed a body blow that saw Cooper counted out in the fourth, but he has since gone on to lose the belt to Tion Gibbs.
Cooper has gone under the wing of Walsall boxing favourite Martin Gethin, a decorated former Midlands, English and British lightweight champion.
Gethin’s influence has rubbed off on the 24-year-old, with the two working together for both of his ring assignments this year that followed the last title test.
Cooper whitewashed Jamie Quinn in a four-rounder, but was then outpointed over eight to Mark Chamberlain, although he climbed off the floor twice to see the final bell.
‘The Scorpion’ believes he can still sting his rivals, though, and would relish a second chance to claim Midlands honours.
He did that as an amateur, graduating from Walsall Wood Boxing Club who he represented in 43 fights, winning four area titles in England Boxing competition.
Cooper said: “I can’t wait to get out again and, if this goes well, I think we can start looking at going for a belt again. I’ve got unfinished business with the Midlands title.
“People forget that I was beating (Jack) O’Keeffe. I was ahead, on points, then I got caught with a sweet body shot that I’ll certainly never forget! One shot can change everything.
“Being with Martin (Gethin) has been a big help to me, we’ve had a couple of fights together and we took (Mark) Chamberlain on short notice. I only had a couple of weeks to prepare.
“He’s a massive lightweight and a big puncher, so I showed how tough I was by taking him the full eight rounds. I was gutted to lose, though. I always am.
“I’d never go in to fold, I’m always trying to win and I’ll apply the same attitude every time, including this next one. I’ll be looking to put on a good performance.
“I’m just planning to get in there, smash it and get the win. I’m hovering about the top 15 (in the domestic lightweight rankings) and I want to break into the top 10.
“Tion Gibbs (Midlands champion) is the one that I want, we’ve had a good spar before and I believe I can beat him, so I’ll be asking for it.
“I’ve proved I can pull off good wins, I did it against Boy Jones on eight days notice. At the top of my game, I think I can cause problems for most lightweights.
“This is where I can learn from Martin (Gethin). His career showed how you come back from losses. Even the best lose sometimes.
“He wants me to follow his path and go through the Midlands, English and British rankings. That’s where I can prove what I’m all about.”
Tickets for the Birmingham bills are available now, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet per day, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
