Cooper eases to 10-0 at March Madness show
There will be tougher tests to come for Ollie Cooper than opponents like Serhii Ksendzov, but the rangy southpaw from Cannock handled the German-based Ukrainian with class and ease, writes Paul Webb.
He took a shutout points win in the headline slot of BCB Promotions' March Madness show at the Hangar Venue in Wolverhampton.
The current Midlands Area super middleweight champion hadn’t boxed since winning the title in November last year, and this fight served as a valuable tick over.
Cooper, who stands a towering 6ft 4 in, got into his rhythm early, popping out the jab and mixing his shots well to the head and body.
Ksendzov, a 40-fight veteran, was doing his best to hold and slow the action but was getting picked off easily, and his face started to show signs of wear and tear.
Cooper got his first career knockout in the Midlands title win, and he was doing his best to repeat that as the fight passed the midway stage.
By the fourth round, Ksendzov was in complete retreat mode and not looking to engage at all, making it harder for Cooper to land in combinations, as at times he was almost chasing his man across the ring.
At the conclusion of the six rounds, Cooper barely had a mark on him, a sign of how one-sided the contest was, and the referee Peter McCormack’s scorecard reflected that 60-54, with the Richie Carter-trained talent moving to 10 wins without loss and some bigger fish to fry in 2025.
Wolverhampton’s Brandon Bethell could be forgiven for having some pre-fight nerves boxing for the first time since his points defeat to Jahfieus Faure in the same venue last October, but the confident 23-year-old showed no signs of loss of confidence, beating Karl Sampson (40-36) in the show’s chief support.
Sporting a new haircut and a Luke Littler-inspired ring walk, Ryan Woolridge showed why so many think he is ready for his first title challenge, comfortably outpointing Shane Smith 60-54.
The Bloxwich southpaw is now unbeaten in 12 contests and dedicated his win to his long-time coach Pete Hickenbottom, whose mother had recently passed away.
‘Baggie Boy’ James Griffiths handled his first-ever six-rounder with real confidence, outpointing Octavian Gratii 60-54.
The BCB-trained middleweight from Wombourne picked his shots well against the durable Romanian, who has only failed to see the final bell three times in 80 previous fights.
There was a shock loss for Burntwood’s Jack Finlan, who came out on the wrong side of a 39-37 points decision to an inspired Josh Morris.
Opening the show, Wolverhampton's Mia Holland comfortably handled Antonella Shirley Molina for her second straight 40-36 points win since turning pro late last year.
The Richie Ghent-trained former national amateur champion outworked her Argentinian opponent, showing good heavy movement and a double jab that saw her easily take control of the fight.
Elsewhere on the show, there were wins for Rocester's Jack Wyn Roberts, Queensbury Promotions' Ben Fail, from Northampton, and Leeds fighter Cory O'Regan.
