The seventh of September will see 2 unbeaten fighters contest the now vacant Midlands Lightweight title on the Tommy Owens Promotions show Villa Park. Mr “No Beef" Jack O’Keeffe will take on Shaun Cooper with both fighters putting there unbeaten records on the line. O’Keeffe’s record stands at 8 wins and no defeats with all his fights being under the TOPromotions banner at Villa park. Shaun Coopers record mirrors that of Jack’s with 8 of his 9 wins coming on the TOPromotions show with his 9th victory coming at the Lamex stadium Stevenage when he beat Boy Jones over 10 rounds on the undercard of a Billy Joe Saunders fight. Cooper should have been crowned WBO Youth Lightweight champion but was slightly over weight so could not contest for the belt.
Both fighters are managed by Eastside’s Jon Pegg and have fought on many of the same Tommy Owen’s shows, this is set to be a cracking fight that is another true 50/50 bout. I have managed to catch up with both fighters and asked them a few questions.
The first fighter I caught up with was Jack O’Keeffe, I ask the vegan fighter, how he felt when he was told the fight was confirmed? He told me “I was delighted when I heard the fight was confirmed it’s something I’ve been asking after for a while”. My next question was you and Shaun have fought on a lot on the same shows, do you think this will effect the way you fight? O’Keeffe informed me “I don’t think knowing Shaun will effect the way I fight no, I wouldn’t change my style I’ll do my thing and I’m sure he will do his”. My final question to Jack was, how do you think the fight will go? The vegan boxer told me “I’m sure I’ll take the win and I’m sure it’s going to be a cracker of a fight, I’ve known Shaun for years and I know he will want it just as bad as I do, the fans are in for a real treat”.
I then asked the same questions to Walsall lad Shaun Cooper, when asked how he felt when it was confirmed he told me “I was buzzing mate after beating Boy Jones I wanted the re-match but that hasn’t happened so I will win a title at home and I cant wait to be back out fighting for a title again”. Cooper continued “I have been 10 rounds with only 8 days notice, I have a longer camp to prepare for this 10 rounder”. When I asked Shaun about him knowing Jack and if it will change the way he fights he told me “nothing changes the way I am in the ring no matter who its against I have respect for Jack as fellow mate but when it comes to fighting each other it's a different story”. I then asked him how the fight will go? He said “I reckon it will be a good fight, but my skills and how I fight will be too much for Jack, he is a tough man but I will be more than ready to bring home that title”. Shaun finished by saying “I would like to thank my sponsors Taundry doors, Dp building & property service, Simmons pork scratching andPeaky barbers”. Dexter’s Thoughts
What a cracking main event for the Tommy Owens Promotions show on the 7th September. Yet another true 50/50 fight, both fighters have unbeaten records and are putting them on the line. They both have a big fan bases and this has all the potential to be a cracking fight maybe even fight of the year. This is a hard, hard fight to call and the only advantage I can see is that Cooper has completed a 10 rounder and has been tested in a title fight coming out the winner. O’Keeffe has completed a few six rounder’s and looked comfortable in them so I’m sure the distance will not be a problem. I have followed both fighters careers from the start and I like both of them and will be very much looking forward to this great title fight.
The Birmingham boxing Column will be at the show on September 7th at Villa park.