Don’t bank against a British title for Owen says Malcolm Melvin

Owen Cooper…eases back on BCB show, then it’s a TV arena bill

OWEN Cooper may have failed in his first British title attempt, but he will one day claim the Lonsdale Belt, his trainer insisted.

The Worcester welter burns to get back to where he belongs after being outpointed by Constantin Ursu for the prize three months ago.

To that end, I understand Cooper will box on a local show staged by Black Country Boxing in either July or August, then feature on a major arena bill in September.

Coach Malcolm Melvin, who had two British title fights five years apart, insisted there’s no psychological scars from the Ursu loss.

“He’s responded really well,” he said. “Owen’s a proper man’s man, he doesn’t sulk. He wants to be in big, challenging fights which is becoming a bit of a rarity in this day and age. He wants to fight the best fighters out there, which, unfortunately, is not always the way.

“He will always bring it, he’s not part of what I call the pretenders’ club.”

The 25-year-old’s record certainly shows that. The last four engagements have seen him stop Eithan James, lose to former British champ Ekow Essuman in the dying moments of a battle he was winning, outpoint highly ranked light-middle Chris Kongo, then face Ursu.

“He’s the only (top) welter I know who’s been underdog in his last four contests,” said Melvin. “James 12-0, Essuman 20-1, Kongo 17-2, Ursu 14-0. I get a bit narked over the lack of credit – tell me another fighter who’s done that? There should be a little more respect.”

Melvin has stated there was an underlying issue going into the Ursu fight that hampered Cooper’s performance, an issue that has now been identified and rectified.

“Everyone who knows Owen Cooper knows that was not the real Owen Cooper on the night. Ursu won the fight – he fought a really, really good fight, but it wasn’t the Owen Cooper we know.”

Cooper’s opportunity will come again – and Melvin has used his own career as evidence. He lost narrowly on points to Ross Hale for the British light-welter title in 1995, then fought Harry Dhami for the welter crown in 2000.

“Owen is only 13 fights in and look at the quality he’s been in with,” Melvin added. “I do believe Owen will come back with flying colours. If you keep persevering on the right road you get the rewards.

“I got my second shot at the British title at the age of 32. Right now, Owen is ready to go and show something again.”