[url]http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/a-cop-who-cared-made-all-the-difference-for-damien-hooper/story-e6frg6nf-1225877650900[/url] [url]http://www.boxing.org.au/latest-news.html[/url] Good article in todays The Australian. Sounds like this kid has got the goods to go on with it and be very exciting possibly medal contention in India. I watched him fight at the Regio Calibria Club Brunswick at amature nationals earlier this year and the whole place was buzzing with this kids name. He was a cut above and lived up to his reputation, lot of people saying good things and he is backing it up. The amature style of fighting has come along way in a short time. I hadn't seen a lot of amature in the last 5-6 years and am very impressed with the new batch of kids comming through with thier go for broke fighting style. A punter in the mix at these trials commented to me that there training techniques being employed with the top notch amatures involves less lateral movement and more agressive countering walk up punching styles. Any opinions on the current amature prospects.
Great to see a positive article on boxing in a national publication that doesn't have the words "another black eye for boxing" or Mundine's or Green's name in sight. There should be far more of it.
Equally as strange that when normal mannered humnas have a problem, they ring the police. I wonder if John Hopoate will take umbrage to a kid using his nickname? edit: oh it's hooper, not hopper. and musings about the copper.
i saw hooper fight at Reggio Calabria also. he is something special. i've been following him since last years worlds when, as a 17 year old, he advanced further than any of the other australians (lost in the 3rd round). a few weeks ago he won silver at the junior worlds. he really could be a medal chance in delhi. he's about 6'2 with arms like a gorilla. its amazing that he makes 75kg - espec given he can weigh 80 the day before and still make weight. he can do the lot too. fight outside. fight inside. counter punch. brawl. he's clearly the best amateur boxer in australia.
Next week 21/8 Hooper will be competing in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Foxtel and channel 99/go will be showing coverage of the games and hopefully we get to see him fight. There will be another talented boxer competing for Oz named Brett Mather. He has only been competing for 3 years (had 38 fights)and won a bronze medal at youth World Championships. Good Luck to the both of them.
Good chance at the Delhi games but london lets not get ahead of ourselves good kid good boxer but lets just see how the years unfold
Anyone have some video? I would think that he would probably settle at 81kg in the seniors if he is that size at that age.