Ollie Cooper wins in main event of BCB's March Madness show
Headliner Ollie Cooper and the full March Madness show results
There will be tougher tests to come for Ollie Cooper than opponents like Serhii Ksendzov, but the rangy southpaw from Cannock handled the German-based Ukrainian with class and ease, taking a shutout points win in the headline slot of BCB Promotions March Madness show at the Hangar Venue in Wolverhampton on Saturday night.
The current Midlands Area Super Middleweight champion hadn’t boxed since winning the title in November last year, and this fight served as a valuable tick over.
Cooper, who stands a towering 6 ft 4 inches, got into his rhythm early, popping out the jab and mixing his shots well to the head and body.
Ksendzov, a 40-fight veteran, was doing his best to hold and slow the action but was getting picked off easily, and his face started to show signs of wear and tear.
Cooper got his first career knockout in the Midlands title win, and he was doing his best to repeat that as the fight passed the midway stage. By the fourth round, Ksendzov was in complete retreat mode and not looking to engage at all, making it harder for Cooper to land in combinations, almost chasing his man across the ring.
At the conclusion of the six rounds, Cooper barely had a mark on him, a sign of how one-sided the contest was, and the referee Peter McCormack’s scorecard reflected that at 60-54, with the Richie Carter-trained talent moving to 10 wins without a loss and some bigger fish to fry in 2025.
Brandon Bethell vs Jahfieus Faure
Wolverhampton’s Brandon Bethell could be forgiven for having some pre-fight nerves boxing for the first time since his points defeat to Jahfieus Faure in the same venue last October, but the confident 23-year-old showed no signs of loss of confidence, beating Karl Sampson (40-36) in the show’s chief support.
Along with a new ring walk, which his army of fans who turned out in huge numbers once again thoroughly enjoyed, Bethell showed more control and calmness in his work and a marked improvement in the defensive side of his game. It’s credit to him and coach Gavin Burrows that they have managed to make these adjustments in such a short time, and his young career is well and truly back on track.
Ryan Woolridge vs Shane Smith
Sporting a new haircut and a Luke Littler-inspired ring walk, Ryan Woolridge showed why so many think he is ready for his first title challenge, comfortably outpointing Shane Smith 60-54. Tall for a middleweight Woolridge has already shown his fitness going eight rounds previously, and Saturday showed his impressive punch variety with the jab to the body, scoring and banking points as the fight went on.
The Bloxwich southpaw is now unbeaten in twelve contests and dedicated his win to his long-time coach Pete Hickenbottom, whose mother had recently passed away.
James Griffiths vs Octavian Gratii
‘Baggie Boy’ James Griffiths had been wanting to challenge himself, and he handled his first-ever six-rounder with real confidence, outpointing Octavian Gratii 60-54. After practically sprinting to the ring, the BCB-trained middleweight from Wombourne picked his shots well against the durable Romanian implored on by Ben Wilkes in his corner.
He sat behind his jab and mixed in some nice shots to the body. Gratii has only failed to see the final bell three times in eighty previous fights, and as he always does, he moved well and held when needed, never looking likely to trouble the scorecard.
Jack Finlan vs Josh Morris
There was a shock loss for Burntwood’s Jack Finlan, who came out on the wrong side of a 39-37 points decision to an inspired Josh Morris.
After making a strong start, Finlan, who trains at Platinum Boxing, found himself in a real battle with both men exchanging heavy body shots. Morris, who hadn’t won any of his five contests coming into the bout, said afterwards this was to be his final fight, and if that is the case, it was a thrilling end to a brief boxing career.
Finlan felt aggrieved at the decision, feeling Morris hadn’t done enough to take three of the rounds, but he is a composed character, and he will be back out again soon.
Jack Wyn Roberts vs Edgar Sneidze
Jack Wyn Roberts got his professional career up and running with a 40-36 points win against Edgar Sneidze. The Rochester-based light heavyweight, who is originally from Wales, pressed the action throughout, landing flurries of punches and keeping up a decent tempo. A left hook to the body drew a wince from the Latvian in the fourth round, but the fight went the full distance, and coach Andy Keates looked pleased with his man's effort.
Mia Holland vs Antonella Shirley Molina
Opening the show, Wolverhampton's Mia Holland comfortably handled Antonella Shirley Molina for her second straight 40-36 points win since turning pro late last year. The Richie Ghent-trained former national amateur champion outworked her Argentinian opponent, showing good heavy movement and a double jab that saw her easily take control of the fight.
Ben Fail vs Robin Zamora
Queensbury Promotions Ben Fail has had plenty of big show experience, and his class showed in an at-times rough and tough affair with Robin Zamora.
The all-southpaw clash was comfortably controlled by Fail, who was ripping in right hands and left hooks to the body as the slightly unorthodox Nicaraguan struggled to land anything of note in return.
After repeat warnings from referee Ryan Churchill, Zamora was deducted a point for use of the head, more from clumsiness than serious intent, and he looked bloodied around the nose at the end of six one-sided rounds with Northampton's Fail winning 60-53.
Cory O’Regan vs Georgi Velichkov
Leeds Cory O’Regan was a welcome late addition to the card, and the exciting super lightweight prospect put on an eight-round clinic against Georgi Velichkov.
Managed by Matthew Macklin, the seven-year pro is wanting to be active, and this being his third fight in seven months, he looked as sharp as he had ever been, using every punch in his locker against the Bulgarian throughout the fight winning 80-72.
