A Mildura rising star took home hardware from last weekend’s South Australia Boxing Titles in Adelaide, making this his third state crown in three years.
Ladd Boxing Club coach Jackson Ladd said fighter Charlie Cooper fought perfectly and displayed his experience in the ring.
“I think it was just an outstanding performance,” Ladd said. “We knew to just be smart. I think that is the biggest thing.”
“He has a lot of experience now. He’s had 23 fights in three years with 15 or 16 wins, so he’s got a pretty good understanding of the sport now, so he’s able to adapt when necessary.
“The things his opponent was throwing at him we had been drilling just by luck, it’s not necessarily that we were testing for that opponent because we hadn’t actually seen this guy fight.
“There was little room for error because the boy he fought hit quite hard, and he just did everything perfectly.”
Ladd highlighted Cooper’s ability to perform at a high level despite facing adversity as he had to fight up a weight class against an older opponent.
“He had a walkover for his weight division, so he moved up four kilograms, which is four kilograms heavier than his normal weight division at 50,” Ladd said.
“He was up against an older boy at 19, so the weight was a little bit more mature.
“Four kilos when you’re down at that weight is a lot when you’re a smaller fighter.
“Funnily enough, I’m 90 kg, and his only sparring partner over the past three months has only been myself, so he hasn’t really been concerned about someone bigger.”
Cooper will go on a well-deserved break as he has had little time to rest between competing throughout the year.
Ladd Boxing Club also had Damek Jones represent them in the SA titles, which was his first time stepping in the ring for 10 years.
Mildura’s Boxing Cartel also had multiple fighters compete in the state championship over the weekend.
One of the best fighters in the region, Egemen Keleser, of Iron Fist gym, also won in his weight division at the SA titles and now has his eyes set on the national titles.
