Cooper-Kongo’s the fight of a weekend full of super fighters

Owen Cooper and Malcolm Melvin at a boxing awards event

OWEN Cooper, a swashbuckling, hooking, bundle of calculated fury, is, in the words of trainer Malcolm Melvin, a “gentleman with spite”.

And that spite will be needed when he faces Chris Kongo on Queensberry’s huge bill at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, this Saturday.

It’s a show that glistens with boxing gems, but the clash between Cooper, from Worcester, and Kongo glints the brightest. In the words of Melvin, Birmingham’s former light-welter and welterweight contender: “It’s a humdinger.”

And Cooper deserves immense credit for plunging back into the deep end after that epic, see-saw battle with former British champ Ekow Essuman – his only loss in an 11 bout career.

He dropped Essuman heavily in the ninth, was ahead on the cards, then Essuman did what champions do – he found a way to win. Ekow dramatically rallied to halt the 24-year-old in the 10th and final round.

Cooper, former English and WBO European titleholder, could’ve been forgiven for easing back with a down-the-card “gimme”. Yet, like an old school warrior, he has burned to prove himself at the highest level. Perhaps even prove something to himself at the highest level.

If there are demons lurking after last July’s loss, Bermondsey’s Kongo, a six foot welter, will find them.

Melvin, bullish in the contest’s countdown, insists there is no hangover. “Owen is in a really, really good place, he’s full of confidence. He could’ve had a nice, easy warm-up, but didn’t want one – I think that tells you all you need to know about Owen Cooper as a fighter. He is on fire.”

Kongo has tasted defeat only twice in 19 fights, both losses coming against top-notch opposition. The 32-year-old dropped a majority decision to British champ Ekow Essuman and was outpointed by world ranked Michael McKinson, a very slippery customer.

“Owen’s punch selection is better than most boxers in Britain,” Melvin, beating the drum for his own man, said. “Owen is a very ‘easy on the eye’ fighter.

“People forget he has had 11 fights. He has mixed in good company, the last two fights were against really good lads. Owen is a very good fighter and I don’t think he gets the full credit he deserves.

“Owen is a very, very intelligent boxer. He knows where he went wrong (last time). He got a bit greedy, stayed in the same place a bit too long because he wanted to entertain. We’ve been getting him a bit smarter, instilling that bit of extra care.

“In my day, if you learned from a loss, it wasn’t really a loss. Owen lost, but his stock rose against Essuman. He put him on his back, he was ahead on all three scorecards. He boxed really, really well. He lacked a bit of experience and maturity and he has learned from it.”

Melvin bristles over suggestions the 10 rounder represents a step-up for Cooper.

“It’s a step-up for Kongo,” he insisted. “I don’t think Kongo can do something that will surprise us. He’s a very good fighter, but he’s not a better fighter than Owen. He’s fought two good lads – Essuman and McKinson and been found out at that level.”

I’ve spent some time pondering the fight’s scenarios because it’s so compelling. It may not be the all-out war many predict – that’s because Kongo won’t want it to be.

The Londoner likes to fight at his own pace and may spoil and hold in an attempt to stifle the younger man’s attacks, break up his rhythm and wear him down.

If it is a great fight, brim-full of blistering exchanges, Cooper wins. As strange as it sounds, I can’t see Kongo winning a great fight.

He may want to make it messy and disjointed: his blueprint for victory may be to prevail down the stretch.

Trouble is, Cooper left hooks with such power, speed and precision nullifying what he brings to the ring is a very big ask.