Kempo Chris
02-19-2004, 09:26 AM
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Following what was arguably the finest performance of his career, two-time world kickboxing champion, Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper, has been enlisted to make his fighting debut in Japan during the March 27th K-1 “World Grand Prix” event at Saitama, Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Last August, Cooper was expected to become the latest victim of a red hot Carter Williams, who had posted the best showing of his own career three months earlier by defeating three straight opponents to take hold of the K-1 USA tournament championship. After the opening bell rang at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Bellagio Hotel and Casino, though, a different tale unfolded as the 29-year-old, two-time K-1 USA tournament veteran found his openings and repeatedly applied his sting with sharp western boxing combinations and roundhouse kicks. Cooper continued to frustrate his 23-year-old opponent throughout the three-round duration of the bout until the final bell rang. When it was announced that Williams was the victor of each round on all three judges scorecards, boos rang out throughout the sold out arena, indicating that the majority of the 6,000 fans on hand felt that Cooper had been the victim of a great injustice. Regardless of what the outcome was on paper, though, Cooper made a lasting impression on the Japanese K-1 constituency that witnessed the fight.
At 6’1” and 205 pounds, Cooper has repeatedly been tested in K-1’s Super Heavyweight division by physically larger competition. During his K-1 USA tournament debut two years ago, he shocked spectators by outscoring six-time kickboxing champion, Jean Claude Leuyer, an opponent carrying 33 pounds more than him. Last year, however, he made an early exit from the eight-man draw when he was outgunned by Japanese native, Yusuke Fujimoto.
One of K-1’s most agile stars, Cooper has successfully utilized his athletic skills in the boxing ring as well. At Las Vegas’s Orleans Hotel and Casino on January 30th, he picked up a unanimous decision over Rodney Moore, bolstering his record in the sweet science to a perfect 10-0-2 (7 KOs).
Cooper is amongst three Americans slated to appear on next month’s card in Saitama. He will be joined by Williams and former heavyweight boxing contender, Shannon Briggs. Opponents for all three fighters are expected to be announced shortly.
By Michael Afromowitz
from www.k-1usa.net
Following what was arguably the finest performance of his career, two-time world kickboxing champion, Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper, has been enlisted to make his fighting debut in Japan during the March 27th K-1 “World Grand Prix” event at Saitama, Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Last August, Cooper was expected to become the latest victim of a red hot Carter Williams, who had posted the best showing of his own career three months earlier by defeating three straight opponents to take hold of the K-1 USA tournament championship. After the opening bell rang at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Bellagio Hotel and Casino, though, a different tale unfolded as the 29-year-old, two-time K-1 USA tournament veteran found his openings and repeatedly applied his sting with sharp western boxing combinations and roundhouse kicks. Cooper continued to frustrate his 23-year-old opponent throughout the three-round duration of the bout until the final bell rang. When it was announced that Williams was the victor of each round on all three judges scorecards, boos rang out throughout the sold out arena, indicating that the majority of the 6,000 fans on hand felt that Cooper had been the victim of a great injustice. Regardless of what the outcome was on paper, though, Cooper made a lasting impression on the Japanese K-1 constituency that witnessed the fight.
At 6’1” and 205 pounds, Cooper has repeatedly been tested in K-1’s Super Heavyweight division by physically larger competition. During his K-1 USA tournament debut two years ago, he shocked spectators by outscoring six-time kickboxing champion, Jean Claude Leuyer, an opponent carrying 33 pounds more than him. Last year, however, he made an early exit from the eight-man draw when he was outgunned by Japanese native, Yusuke Fujimoto.
One of K-1’s most agile stars, Cooper has successfully utilized his athletic skills in the boxing ring as well. At Las Vegas’s Orleans Hotel and Casino on January 30th, he picked up a unanimous decision over Rodney Moore, bolstering his record in the sweet science to a perfect 10-0-2 (7 KOs).
Cooper is amongst three Americans slated to appear on next month’s card in Saitama. He will be joined by Williams and former heavyweight boxing contender, Shannon Briggs. Opponents for all three fighters are expected to be announced shortly.
By Michael Afromowitz
from www.k-1usa.net