Could Miami beckon for Cannock’s Ollie?

Ollie Cooper…fights in his hometown of Cannock next week

IT’S a huge step from boxing in the former Staffordshire coaltown of Cannock to fighting in Miami, but local lad Ollie Cooper may be poised to make the journey.

Former America lightweight great Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, who works closely with Cannock promoter Scott Murray, has seen the unbeaten middleweight in action – and been mightily impressed.

He is discussing the possibility of bringing 22-year-old Ollie to Florida for a fight.

But first Cooper, unbeaten in six, has to overcome a test in his hometown next Thursday, September 28.

At Scott’s five star Excelsior sporting club, based at the Premier Suite, Ollie faces tough Polish light-heavy Patryk Polasik. The visitor may sport an unflattering 1-12-1 record, but comes to fight.

Local fans will remember his battle with thunderous punching Troy Jones at the Hangar, Wolverhampton, last November, won by Troy in the sixth.

“He’s a rugged lad,” said Ollie’s trainer Richie Carter, “and he’s a light-heavy, so he’ll have the weight advantage. The fight is made at just under 12 stone. He’ll fight, it will be a good test.”

Southpaw Cooper – near freakishly tall for a middle at 6ft 4ins – looks talented, but remains a work in progress. In June at the Excelsior, he completed his first six rounder, outpointing Pavol Garaj: his second beckons next week.

Scott Murray has stated he wants to champion the Cannock boxer’s drive to the top.

“I was pleased with the way he converted from four to six rounds,” said Carter. “With Ollie, it’s all about muscle memory and he’s looking better and better.

“Scott is 100 per cent behind him and wants to build him. He wants him for the Excelsior Club for the next couple of years. The doors are opening for Ollie.”

And one of those doors may open to Miami, he revealed.

Carter said: “There’s talk of him fighting for the Midlands title – when that happens, I haven’t got a clue. There are also other title opportunities out there, like the English. Personally, I think he needs another two to three six rounders. When a fighter hits that 10 or 12 bout mark, that’s when they’ve served their apprenticeship in my opinion.

“Ollie is a very talented fighter, he’s very gifted and we just need to keep that progress going.”

And the trainer denied a move up to super-middle (12 stone) is inevitable for his boxer.

“He’s massive,” he added, “but he walks about at 12 stone.”

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