Big first round not enough as Ajax boxer TKO’d in fifth in South Africa

So close for the Bad Boy in an entertaining and bloody junior middleweight bout Saturday night at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, South Africa.

Ajax fighter Brandon ‘Bad Boy’ Cook, the former Canadian, North American and Inter-Continental champion, is no stranger to big fights, taking on then-unbeaten Mexican star Jamie Munguia in Las Vegas for the WBO title in 2018. Cook was also on a six-fight winning streak before taking the long flight to South Africa to take on rising star Shervantaigh Koopman (15-0).

He was this close to pulling off the upset in a wild opening round, which began with Cook dropping Koopman with a left hook, followed by another right that sent the rising star to the canvas for a second time in front of the hometown crowd.

With the three-knockdown rule in effect in South Africa Cook went full tilt for the early upset but was caught by a combination that sent the Canadian down and it was Koopman on the attack as the bell ended the round.

A straight right in the second round opened a deep gash above Cook’s eye that prompted a delay as the ring doctor was called in. Cook then took a solid right to the jaw before the round ended with a flurry of punches by both fighters.

Cook started the third round the same as the first and both fighters traded big blows before Koopman put the pride of Ajax to his knees for an eight count with a left hook and right uppercut combination at the end of the round.

Koopman was the aggressor in the fourth and had Cook in trouble but the Ajax fighter stayed in the game and landed a few shots of his own.

The fifth was the final round, as a series of body shots coupled with blood gushing from Cook’s eye sent the visitor into the ropes and referee Jean-Robert Laine stopped the fight one second before the end of the round.

“Brandon showed his grit and toughness again,” said Tyler Buxton of United Promotions, who set up the bout. “The cut was very bad and made it difficult for him to see.”

For Cook, now 38 and with a family to take care of, the future is unclear. What is clear is there is still plenty of fight in Ajax’s own ‘Bad Boy.’

“Regarding the future,” said Buxton, “we will sit down and discuss what is best for Brandon.”