A double domestic title clash spearheads a bill at Vaillant Live in Derby on Saturday night, as Owen Cooper and Constantin Ursu contest the vacant British and Commonwealth welterweight titles in the East Midlands.

Queensberry promote Cooper vs Ursu, and DAZN screen live.
Worcester’s Cooper (11-1, KO4) won the Midlands title in his seventh fight, and would claim English and WBO European straps in March 2024, forcing the then unbeaten Ethan James to retire after nine rounds of battle.
He would drop the WBO bauble in his next fight in a thriller against Ekow Essuman where Cooper was down in the sixth, and stopped in ten in Birmingham, but returned to winning ways impressively in Nottingham last time out, outscoring Chris Kongo over ten.
Owen Cooper looks to add to his fine form of recent. Credit: Leigh Dawney/ Queensberry
Born in Moldova but based in Plymouth, Ursu (14-0, KO6) has been operating at a similar level to Cooper, winning the Southern Area title in 2023, and he also holds a win over Ethan James, knocking ‘Jammie’ out in the seventh round of their meeting to take the vacant Commonwealth crown last March.
He defended in November, where he also picked up the vacant WBO European belt with a wide points win against Ryan Amos at York Hall.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Constantin Ursu (@constantinursu00)

Prediction: This is a well-matched bout, and I lean towards the more tested and durable Ursu to go home with the belts via close decision. 
Luke McCormack vs Kane Gardner
Two ten-rounders head the undercard.
Former Olympian Luke McCormack (4-0, KO3) goes up to the level for the first time, and the talented welterweight should have too much for Kane Gardner (18-5, KO7), but may have to go the distance to claim victory.
Owen Cooper shone in Glasgow last time out. Credit: Leigh Dawney/ Queensberry
Owen Cooper shone in Glasgow last time out. Credit: Leigh Dawney/ Queensberry
Remaining undercard

Ben Fail (10-0, KO5) is another to move up to ten-round level, and he can score a stoppage win against the tough Mason Cartwright (23-4-1, KO9) in their super welterweight meeting.

The only eight-rounder is at flyweight, and 19-year-old Tony Curtis (12-1, KO3) can clearly outscore Jemsi Kibazange (21-14-4, KO8).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Queensberry (@queensberrypromotions)

In six-rounders, Charlie Senior (3-0, KO1) should win on points against Jesus Carrasco (2-2-1, KO0) at featherweight, and at heavyweigyt, Lewis Williams (3-0, KO1) can do the same against Ben Vickers (3-2-1, KO1).

Charlie Senior is back in action this weekend. Credit: Leigh Dawney/ Queensberry
Charlie Senior is back in action this weekend. Credit: Leigh Dawney/ Queensberry

At super lightweight, Reese Lynch (2-0, KO1) can be a points victor over Dan Booth (6-19, KO3), and Lasha Guruli (2-0, KO1) can win via the early route against Benito Sanchez Garcia (17-16-4, KO5).

In four-round contests, Joe Cooper (5-0, KO0) should outpoint Serge Ambomo (13-71-3, KO4) at middleweight, and super lightweight debutant Ellis Panter can also be a points winner in his clash with Garth Noot (1-15-2, KO1).