13.06.08 – Former IBA and WIBA Flyweight Champion Melinda Cooper (19-0) was nothing short of spectacular in her fourth round demolition of Donna Biggers (19-8-1) for what marked her first appearance on the East Coast Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut..
Coming off what was nearly a year and a half layoff from boxing, Cooper showed no hesitance to hit, no reluctance to get hit and no fear of taking the fight right to her bigger, more experienced opponent. And take it to her she did!
Only sixty seconds into the first round, it was obvious how this battle was going to unfold. From the onset, Copper began landing hard punches from all angles and even wobbled Biggers seconds into the action. Swelling began around Biggers eyes almost immediately as Cooper connected with accurate combinations to both the body and head. There was no one punch that dictated the fight or one moment that determined the outcome, but every exchange seemed to be punctuated by Coopers solid, more telling blows. Cooper’s clean, controlled punching were effective whether she chose to lead or step back and counter and she seemed to have an answer for almost everything that Biggers threw. That consistent onslaught and consistent accumulation finally caught up with Biggers and was painfully apparent on her badly swollen and bloodied face. On the prompting of the ringside physician, referee Dick Flaherty stepped in and stopped the fight after a minute into the fourth round. Based on this performance, there is certainly no discounting Biggers heart or desire, but from the opening bell she was simply outgunned on every level.
In what was her first appearance on the East Coast, Cooper put on a stellar display of boxing skill and fighting heart, scoring the only knockout of the evening. This “return” marks her 19th win as a professional and puts a loud exclamation point on the end of the official announcement that Melinda Cooper is indeed back!