WORCESTER’s Owen Cooper maintained his winning start to his professional boxing career last weekend after a knockout victory over Daryl Pearce at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Last week it was announced that Cooper, 20, had landed a deal with boxing Hall of Famer, Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions.

In his first fight under his new promoter, Cooper beat Pearce in front of the BT Sport cameras on what was a memorable night for the 2018National Youth Champion.

“It was a very different experience for me,” said Cooper.

“Coming from someone who fights in small hall shows with no real media coverage, to then go and fight in front of the big cameras that are then streaming for BT Sport, it was completely different.

“I had media days in the build-up and loads of interviews there as well as photo days, it was completely different but I really enjoyed myself.

“After the fight, I was in the middle of the interview and he (Frank Warren) came up to me in the middle of it and said something like ‘what a knockout’ and he shook my hand and that was it, that was my first experience of Frank.But I can’t remember what he said I was just so buzzing.”

“I couldn’t believe it, it was all crazy really.”

Despite a whirlwind seven days, Cooper admits he is trying to stay grounded whilst he works his way to the top.

“I just want to keep taking my time and then start picking up titles regionally” he added.

“Then go for the English and push towards the British in the next 1/2 years. My ultimate goal is to win a British title. Anything after that is just a bonus for me.

“But this deal means a lot. Everyone in the boxing side of things knows Frank Warren.

“When I first started in the amateurs at 13/14 you get to hear of these big names and how big they are, the weight they carry so being with someone like that takes my career to the next level.”

Cooper turned pro in the summer of 2019 when he signed his first pro contract with BCB Promotions and is now looking for more fights this summer.