Primrose boxer’s undefeated streak ends
The hard-hitting Lima dominated the bout, forcing Koopman’s corner to throw in the towel in the ninth round at Emperors Palace.
Shervantaigh Koopman had his dreams of becoming a world champion scuppered when he lost against defending IBO Super Welterweight champion Uisma ‘Monster’ Lima of Portugal.
The fight booked in the headline bout of The Coronation Box and Dine Tournament at Emperors Palace Centre Court on May 31 saw the Primrose fighter lose his first fight.
The Angola-born Lima came out in the opening round like a man possessed, and it took Koopman a couple of rounds to adjust to the champion’s bruising onslaught.
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During the third and fourth rounds, the hometown hero looked like he was finding his feet, but Lima was relentless.
By the fifth round, it was clear why he (Lima) had beaten his last three opponents who, like Koopman, had been unbeaten until facing the Monster.
The telling round, however, was the ninth when Lima landed a vicious left, sending Koopman to the canvas.
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The latter bravely got up, but the writing was on the wall. Following another stinging left from Lima, Koopman’s corner threw in the towel, ending the Primrose fighter’s 15-fight unbeaten run.
The Brian Mitchell Academy boxer and his team will have learnt some valuable lessons from Saturday evening’s loss, and the 31-year-old is sure to be back to his winning ways at the Palace of Dreams shortly.
