Vaughan body shots break-up Cooper

Vaughan and his team after the victory. Pics: Jack Perry

I CAN think of few fighters who have set such a demonic pace in a scheduled 10 rounder than Ben Vaughan.

ON BCB’s big title show on Friday, the 24-year-old and Jimmy Cooper served-up another contender for Midlands fight of the year.

Sitting ringside at the Holiday Inn, in Birmingham city centre,  the blood splattered pages of my notebook still bear evidence of the thriller, won by tall southpaw Vaughan in the fourth. That was the first inside-distance victory of his career.

In truth, the encounter lacked the sways in fortune to take the Board’s annual fight trophy, but the possibility Vaughan would wilt under the frantic pace he set made for “edge of the seat” excitement.

Gashed over the left eye in the first, he didn’t.

Vaughan (10st 8lbs 6oz), waiting for a Midlands title shot, kept ripping shots to the body until Southampton’s brave Cooper finally buckled.

He was dropped by a body attack and his corner rightly threw in the towel at 45 seconds.

Vaughan, who looks a dangerous operator, told me: “I’m a fit lad. If it comes down to fitness, no one’s going to beat me.

“I took a few, but that’s the name of the game. Now I’m looking for titles.”

Vaughan, now unbeaten in seven, fought like a man possessed, hunting his opponent down. Cooper was wobbled in the first and spent the dying sessions of the session propped in a neutral corner as Ben, blood trickling down his face, threw shots from both hands.

Ref Chris Dean raises Vaughan’s hand at the end of the thriller

But Cooper (10st 9lbs 10oz), who lost for the second time in 13 (one draw,) always looked to counter. Hands cupped round his face, Jimmy landed two big, overhand rights in a scintillating second.

He was trying to find the shots to turn the tide, waiting for the storm to subside.

It didn’t. Vaughan cranked up the pace in the third and Cooper was forced to cover-up against the ropes.

By the fourth, Cooper resistance was clearly ebbing. His knees dipped and he finally slumped to the canvas after shipping a right hook to the body.

His corner’s surrender, seconds later, was spot on. Their fighter had nothing left to give.