Advertisement

Perth rookie gets shot at Olympian Hooper

Perth boxing novice Rob Powdrill has the chance to upset the applecart of one of Australia's brightest hopes this Saturday after being drafted in as a late substitute to face London Olympian Damien Hooper.

Unbeaten Hooper (9-0) was scheduled to defend his WBC Eurasia PBC light-heavyweight title against Fiji-based Ghanaian Joseph Kwadjo in Brisbane.

But Kwadjo was unable to secure a visa, handing Muay Thai specialist Powdrill an unlikely opportunity in only his fifth pro boxing fight.

And the 30-year-old's trainer is in bullish mood.

"I reckon we have got a bloody good chance," Powdrill's coach Bill Seth told thewest.com.au.

"I have seen Damien a few times and reckon we have got him. We saw him put down by a Thai and he's vulnerable.

"He's good on the outside and good with straight punches, but we're ready for that."


Damien Hooper is one of Australian boxing's bright hopes Pic WA News


Powdrill (3-1), who won the WA State cruiserweight title with a points win over champion Ben Page last month, has been preparing for a Muai Thai fight a week on Friday.

"He is fit and ready to go," said Seth, who trains Powdrill at his Mungkorn Mai Muay Thai Gym in Wangara.

Hooper's co-manager Matt Clark said he was relieved to find an opponent for the 22-year-old former world amateur quarter-finalist after Kwadjo was denied entry into Australia.

"We're grateful for Rob and his team for taking this fight, we were in real danger of being left high and dry," Clark said.

"From what we've seen of him on YouTube and from speaking to people who know him, we know he will come to fight and are expecting a tough night.

"We think Damien will be too skilful for him but who knows, this is a chance out of nowhere for him and he could get lucky. That's why we won't be taking him lightly."

And if Powdrill - a multiple belt holder in Muay Thai - needed further inspiration then Hooper's promoter, former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton, will be in attendance at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler.

The English crowd favourite is in Australia to watch a number of his fighters, including former Perth-based heavyweight Lucas Browne and his European champion Sergey Rabchenko, who takes on Anthony Mundine in Melbourne later this month.