(MAR 25) Well what can I say!
This ladies super featherweight six round bout was the biggest
sensation of the night, but NOT in the way intended!
The fifth bout, on an action-packed eight fight bill, it
ended in high drama!
Miranda Carter of LEFT JAB, the Queen of British Professional
Boxing deserves praise for her staging this card at England’s
famous York Hall, Bethnal Green on Sunday afternoon 21st March.
LAURA SAPERSTEIN (38) was making
her return to the British professional ring after a year’s
absence recovering from an injury suffered in rugby training.
Weighing in at 135 ½ pounds she looked as sharp as ever in a
white sports bra and miniskirt decorated with 2 red/black
motifs.
Born in Australia, Laura now lives in England. She is a former
$150,000 a year mergers and acquisitions lawyer with the leading
London solicitors, Freshfields. She gave this up because of her
love for boxing and now has a business in ladies sportswear, of
which her outfit was an example. Before this fight she had a
professional record of 7 wins and no losses. Her amateur record
was even better with 10 wins and no losses, and in 2005 she was
the England Womens’ Amateur Boxing Association Lightweight
Champion.
Her opponent was plucky young Welsh super featherweight LANA
COOPER (23) a bakery worker from Cardiff. A stocky blond, Lana
is a relative newcomer to professional boxing having had her
first fight on 17th October 2008. Usually fighting much more
experienced opponents she has lost all her 5 previous fights
narrowly on points.
At the weigh in she was 137 ½ pounds.
First into the ring’s Red Corner, almost unnoticed, she was clad
in a black sports bra with black shorts with pale mauve stripes.
Saperstein’s entranced a few minutes later to the cheers of her
supporters.
Round 1
Saperstein quickly took the initiative with her aggressive two
handed attacks. Cooper tends to be a defensive fighter with her
gloves held high ; like a wall in front of her face. She
persisted in this, although she managed a few return blows. but
was soon driven back against the ropes. In this fast moving
action it was clear that Saperstein was in command.
Round 2
With in a few seconds of the start of the round – after a short
attack by Saperstein and the beginning of a repost from her
opponent - Cooper gave a howl of anguish and dramatically
collapsed to the canvas clutching her left arm to her body. She
lay on her back ; obviously in great pain. The fight stopped
immediately. A doctor and paramedics jumped into the ring and
Saperstein – looking bewildered went to wait in a neutral
corner. First Aid and oxygen was administered to Cooper for a
long time, until a stretcher was brought into the ring and she
was evacuated to hospital.
Saperstein was declared the winner on a T.K.O.
Looking at telephoto pictures taken of Cooper before and after
her collapse it appears that she suffered serious injury to the
upper radial bone in her left shoulder which could clearly be
seen protruding in her skin.
Saperstein now advances to 8 wins
Speaking to your correspondent shortly after the fight she did
not believe that an intended blow from her had caused the injury
and expressed her condolences for Cooper . She was very
disappointed that the fight had not run its course as this was
the first time that she was due to fight 6 rounds. Her ambition
is to win a British Boxing Board of Control Womens’ title and
she is now anxious to get another fight quickly to build up her
experience .
LATEST.
Monday 22nd March 2010 23.30 hrs G.M.T.
Cooper’s trainer told your correspondent that his girl had been
x-rayed, given cortisone injections and the bone put back into
place at the joint with the clavicle. She had her arm in a sling
and was very sore, but still determined to return to the ring as
soon as she is fit. They think the damage had been caused by a
freak blow to the elbow. Laura Saperstein had phoned today to
wish Cooper well.
John E.G.Wilson. “N.U.J. Words = 708
Copyright John E.G.Wilson.
