Cooper still Super

Hampshire man returns impressively after three years out, writes Will Hale

TOTTON’S Jimmy ‘Super’ Cooper put on a pleasing display of skill while taking every round against Spain-based Mexican

Fernando Valencia in topping a Chris Hitching-promoted evening of five bouts over four-threes at Southsea’s South Parade Pier.

Cooper, coming back after a 36-month hiatus, boxed well off the jab and slotted home correct and sharp punches. Jimmy’s footwork was accomplished and his defensive head movement kept him firmly out of trouble against the fit and aggressive visitor. The home fighter swelled in confidence over the last two stanzas and he picked some crisp left hooks and straight right hands to add an exclamation mark to his win.

Southampton’s Valantin Marku had a night to forget when Spain’s Alejandro

Torres forced the show’s third man Mark Bates to rescue him after 1-20 of the opener. A big right hand had Marku in trouble after around half a minute and although he maintained his stance, he looked glazed and hurt. After a further series of thumping rights, Bates right called the affair off with Florian seemingly about to take a hammering.

Dagenham’s Karim Argius was held to a 38-38 point draw by tough Mexican Hector

Lozano. The switch-hitting Londoner was perhaps guilty of loading up too much over the first two sessions. Hector hurled wide shots and had some success downstairs.

Bognor’s Billy Castle scored a 39-36 win over Reynaldo Cajina to kickstart his paid career. Two right hands around the guard had Cajina down in the first, but the heavyhooking Spaniard survived despite taking some weighty right hands and left hooks. Likewise, Chichester debutant Thomas

Johnson won his paid bow in shutting out Derbyshire’s Nathan Junor. After Johnson settled into the fight, he scored with some decent body attacks and straight shots upstairs to leave Junor in survival mode by the last.