A GLANCE at challenger Tom Ramsden’s sketchy record suggests Midlands super-middleweight champ Ollie Cooper is destined for a fairly undemanding first title defence.
But, in our game, statistics can be deceiving – and a number of judges have told me Cannock’s Ollie has a potentially stiff test ahead.
Ramsden’s manager, former pro Matty Teague, warned: “This is Tom’s world title.”
His chance comes at Cannock’s Chase Leisure Centre on September 13. With 18 losses in 28 bouts (two draws), the 35-year-old will be a big underdog.
Southpaw Cooper is unbeaten in 10 and seems to be improving with each outing. He took the title by halting previously unbeaten Liam O’Hare.
What’s more, the challenger doesn’t appear to be a particularly heavy hitter, with only one victory coming inside distance.
But Ramsden, from Grimsby – a town that falls into boxing’s Midlands boundaries – has boxed almost exclusively in the away corner, faced good prospects and never been stopped.
“He’s a gritty lad and he’ll be going for it,” said Teague. “He’s good enough to win an area tile. He’s training, really putting the work in, he’s very fit. He’s looking good.
“If he won it would be a big upset, the odds will be massive, but we’re not going there to make up the numbers.
“We know we are up against it. Ollie Cooper is a tall, rangy southpaw, he’s unbeaten but he hasn’t really been tested.
“They’ll be confident, but people around boxing know records don’t mean a lot.”
Ramsden began his pro career as a home fighter, took a long break following the death of his father, then made the decision to fight on the road.
“He’s a quiet lad, Tom,” Teague said, “he has no social media. He had a few years off because he was looking after his mom. He called me one day and said, ‘I want to go on the road’ – the idea was to save-up for a property.
“If there’s a win there, he’ll take it, but he knows his job as a journeyman. He’s won three of his last five fights.”
Teague added: “He’s a very determined lad, Tom.”
Ollie trainer Richard Carter said: “I know what Ollie can do, I know what he’s capable of. He’s a different fighter now. He’s confident, he really wants to do things.
“Ollie’s another level,” he told me recently. “If someone comes to take the fight to Ollie, he’s very destructive.”
