Uppercut Magazine.com - Melinda Cooper's Road

By David A. Avila

Walking down the street Melinda “La Maravilla” Cooper looks like any other 20-something year-old with wants and needs that might be described as mundane. But her goals are much more than that.

“This title fight means everything to me,” says Cooper unflinchingly.

Beginning as a youth, the pretty brunette with the shy smile has surprised many including legendary trainers and promoters like the late Eddie Futch and Dana White with her abilities to battle in the ring. She plain likes to bang.

“When I was a kid Eddie Futch used to show me things all the time; I just never knew that he was a living legend,” admits Cooper who was a mere child of 11 when the master boxing trainer who taught Freddie Roach and others his craft.

Ultimate Fighting Championship’s White remembers witnessing Cooper’s uncanny abilities in the crowded gyms of Las Vegas.

“I have known Melinda Cooper since we go way back. I met her back in the boxing days when she used to train out of one of the big boxing gyms that Kirk Kerkorian used to fund Nevada Partners,” says White, who knows a thing or two about mixed martial arts and boxing. “I met her over there she was a little girl.”

Cooper is no longer the little girl who likes to bang. Now she’s one of the best female boxers in the world.

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 20, Cooper (21-1, 11 KOs) eagerly gets a return match with Ada Velez (19-3-3, 6 KOs) who holds the IBF super bantamweight world title. Their second encounter takes place at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas. Sampson Boxing is promoting the event.

Cooper loves fighting in Las Vegas.

“I have wanted to fight in Vegas again for so long and now I am, and for a world title,” says Cooper who seldom shows excitement.

Velez won a split decision against Cooper back in late March. The match took place in a huge soccer stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica. A Puerto Rican judge and a Costa Rican judge scored it in Velez’s favor, the American judge tabbed Cooper the winner. Most of the fans thought Cooper won handily and were shocked at the decision. That was Cooper’s only loss ever.

“Although I can never get my record back, I can set my mind at ease once I beat Ada,” Cooper said.

During the press conference on Friday afternoon, Cooper and Velez shoved each other and words were exchanged.

“Melinda means business,” says James Pena who has trained Cooper throughout her boxing career. “She’s ready.”

White, who helped Cooper in obtaining the first world title she won back on 2005 by paying for her sanctioning fees, knows that the model-looking prizefighter is serious about her craft.

“I think she just loves the sport. I think she’s passionate about it. And she’s tough man. She’s tough as nails,” says White. “Since a little girl she’s been like that.”

Velez said recently that she has prepared much better than her first fight especially after exchanging blows with Cooper for 10 rounds last spring.

Though the very girlish looking Cooper hasn’t made any verbal predictions or threats, she’s poised to show her hometown what it’s been missing for nearly six years. The last time she fought for the home crowd was in January 2007.

“They are all so excited to see me fight in Vegas, they know how much I love fighting at home and they will be at my fight cheering me on,” Cooper said.

She may look like a model but don’t expect her to pose.

Other title bouts

IBF featherweight titleholder Stacey Reile (10-3) defends against Dominican Republic’s Dahiana Santana (27-6, 12 KOs) in the co-main event.

Both fought each other in Costa Rica last March with Reile winning the decision.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. For ticket information go to www.texasstation.com