By James Slater: Talk about a genuine blast from the past match-up! According to Boxrec.com, 1990’s heavyweight contenders/world champions Oliver McCall and Bert Cooper are set to rumble next month, for the vacant IBU strap. Set to go on a fight card in Atlanta, Georgia that will also feature Dannie McDermott and Bobby Gunn in action, the two forty-somethings will fight on July 16th.
Okay, in the scheme of things neither guy is going to go too much further in the world ratings, but “The Atomic Bull” and “Smokin’” Bert just might put on a fun fight. Set for ten rounds with that obscure title on the line, the fight has a great chance of ending way before the final bell is in sight. Both ageing lions are coming off a loss: McCall a March points loss to Cedric Boswell, Cooper an April 2nd-round TKO hammering at the hands of promising Cuban Luis Ortiz.
McCall may be the slightly older man at age 46, but he has a far better record at 55-11(37) compared to 38-23(31) for the 45-year-old Cooper, and he also has that legendary chin. Never stopped in his long career, the former WBC champion has actually been competitive against ranked contenders quite recently. Cooper, who amazingly launched a comeback last June after having had eight years out, has not managed a competitive showing against a recognisable name in many years.
Those who do tune in to see this fight (assuming the Atlanta card will have T.V coverage – and I admit I’d watch this fight if I could) can expect to see a McCall win. Still astonishingly tough and in shape for someone who has been through so much and is at such an advanced age, the former conqueror of Lennox Lewis has proven he can still fight. After all, back in December he managed a highly useful points win over “Fast” Fres Oquendo. Cooper on the other hand managed two wins over journeymen opposition before being cruelly taken apart by the talented Ortiz.
So what kind of a fight can we expect on July 16th? McCall will be as durable and as rock-hard as always, while Cooper will try his best with power shots. McCall hasn’t scored a KO since his May 2009 TKO over Australia’s John Hopoate. There is a good chance he will get a quick win against the Philly veteran who has also suffered many trials and tribulations outside of the ring as well as inside it. It’s quite amazing Cooper and McCall are still here punching for pay after all they’ve been through! Both men have battled drink and or drugs and both have suffered heavy ring defeats.
And as much as many fans will deride this fight, it’s easy to have some admiration for both guys; simply because they have survived all that they have. Again, neither man figures to ever again get within touching distance of a major title any more than they will get a top-ten ranking, but the two can be expected to put on an honest little slugfest next month.
Look for “The Atomic Bull” to wear down Cooper and get a mid-rounds TKO win. Where either guy goes next we can only guess!