Melinda Cooper Wins in Mexico

Bantamweight contender Melinda “La Maravilla” Cooper returned to the boxing ring after a two-year absence to defeat Zenny Sotomayor by unanimous decision in Tijuana on Wednesday.

Cooper shook off whatever ring rust she had with a sterling six-round performance that saw her defeat the Mexican fighter who had just recently fought twice for the world title. Though the Las Vegas prizefighter convinced all three judges of her superiority in the ring, it’s her first step toward winning a world title.

That may come soon.

One journalist said “she looked good, very precise, and good combos. Cooper dominated” in their bantamweight clash held in Tijuana, Mexico. All three judges scored it for Cooper 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55.

Cooper is a former flyweight world champion now fighting at bantamweight. Her last fight had been against San Antonio’s excellent Celina Salazar two years ago. That fight ended in a majority decision for Cooper in a very close fight in Las Vegas. Both Cooper and Salazar are now signed with Arqangel Promotions, a management group for female fighters.

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