Worcester’s Owen Cooper was in a sensational battle for his WBO welterweight European title at the resorts World Birmingham (20.07.24). Copper who came into the contest unbeaten in ten fights was taking on the former British Welterweight champ Ekow Essuman in the ten-round contest. Twenty-three-year-old Cooper weighed in ten stone six with Essuman (35) from Nottingham who had lost once in twenty contests weighed in the same, with Bob Williams reffing.
Great first round by both fighters with both fighters letting their hands go, great start with Essuman edging the round. Essuman started the second fast landing some nice shots, Cooper worked his way back into the round landing some nice shots but Essuman edged this round. Better round by Cooper who controlled the pace and had settled into the fight winning the round.
Essuman poured on the pressure in the fourth pushing Cooper to the ropes and landed some big shots, Cooper come back well and won the round with great shots. Essuman again pressed Cooper to the ropes and landed some big shots, Cooper stayed composed and when he got off the ropes landed some great shots to win the round. Cooper moved well in the sixth landing some nice one, twos, Essuman came back strong pushing Cooper to the ropes landing some massive hooks dropping Cooper, Cooper got to his feet and was a loud to carry on and managed to weather the storm and see the round out.
Essuman continued to press and land good shots, Cooper showed his determination as he took shots and fought back hard but Essuman won the round. The eighth was a better round for Cooper as he kept his distance and used his jab well, Essuman continued to press but Cooper just edged the round. Essuman got Cooper on the ropesand landed some big shots, Cooper managed to get off the ropes and moved well picking some good shots. Cooper then landed a cracking right hand putting Essuman down, Essuman got to his feet and like Cooper managed to see the round out. Essuman came out fast in the final round and caught Cooper with a cracking left hook which wobbled Cooper with Essuman jumping on him landing several right and left hooks with the ref Bob Williams stopping the fight twenty-three seconds into the tenth round.
Essuman the New WBO European Welterweight Champion
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great contest this was and definitely a contender for the Bbcolumn Fight of the year. Both fighters put it all on the line and both showed their intestinal fortitude by getting off the canvas and continuing. Cooper may have lost but he showed so much heart and his skill to compete against a former British champion who had only ever lost once. Cooper is only twenty-three and can come back from this without a doubt and fights like this will learn you a lot more that stopping someone in the first round. Cooper has still got all the skills and talent to claim a British or a European title again and still has the potential to go even further. I look forward to seeing Cooper back in the ring soon.
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