WORCESTER boxer Steven Cooper failed to gain a second successive victory when he was out-pointed over six rounds by Welshman Jamie Way at Newport.
Cooper was looking to follow up his excellent same-distance points win over Rotherham's Paul Royston at Mansfield on June 3.
However, he had to survive several troublesome moments as Way, from the nearby village of Abercarn, stretched his unbeaten professional record to four by gaining a 59-55 verdict from Pontypool referee Roddy Evans.
That meant Way won five rounds to Cooper's one, who edged the fifth by keeping out of harm's way while also landing some effective body shots.
However, he took some heavy punishment, mainly right-hand punches, and there were a couple of times when it looked as though a better option would be for him to take a mandatory eight count.
But Cooper, five pounds lighter at 9st 4lbs, refused to compromise his tactics, a decision which earned him much respect and a warm post-fight reaction from the local audience.
Although Way was a clear winner, Cooper did land enough to ensure the Welshman had a small lump developing under his left eyebrow from the mid-way point of the second round.
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