By contrary, “The Black Kobra” has forced some sense of humility into each of his opponents. From his slick movement to his polished striking skills to his rock hard chin, Cooper has exploited everything in his repertoire to confuse, frustrate, and give back to his adversaries whatever they dish out to him. No matter the size or skill level of the man standing in front of him, he has always left the ring on his feet in Las Vegas.
Less than a year after he produced his best K-1 result to date, a runner-up finish during the event at Bellagio last August, Cooper, now 30 years old, is re-energized and poised to explode on Saturday during Battle at Bellagio IV, the K-1 “World Grand Prix 2005 in Las Vegas” Pay-Per-View mega-card. Naturally, he won’t hesitate to tell you that he’s upgraded everything from his kicks and punches to his ring entrance.
Q: This is your sixth year as a K-1 fighter. What can we expect from you on Saturday?
A: Every year I’m like The Incredible Hulk getting shot with gamma rays. I’m just getting more and more determined, more powerful, more confident.
Q: In the past, you’ve expressed concern about the mistreatment that you feel you’ve suffered on the part of judges scoring your fights. Now that you’ve had some time to reflect on this issue since the last K-1 event in Las Vegas, what is your take on it?
A: Well, that’s a very touchy situation. Judges need to stop believing the hype and judge the fight for what it is. You know, everyone says ‘Oh, these guys are landing power shots.’ It’s about effectiveness. If the power shots aren’t hurting me and I’m not stumbling all around the ring from them, then they’re not power shots. They’re just like the shots I was hitting (my opponent) with. Neither one of us got hurt. Therefore, it’s about who works more and that has definitely been me in several different fights.
I’m just gonna keep doing what I do but, one thing that’s different about me this year that I couldn’t say for no other year - I’m no longer carrying the cross on my back, if you get the analogy. In fights before, I always felt like I had to prove something. It was weighing me down. I used to think ‘Can I get through three fights? Can I get through more than one fight in a night?’ I’ve done that now so I don’t have that burden in my mind anymore. I’m very confident in my chances to win this tournament and I honestly feel 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I can win it. So, that’s gonna be a huge factor for me. In the back of my mind, I always thought that I could beat any one fighter. But, I also thought ‘Can I get through three?’
Q: Last August, you finished as “Battle at Bellagio III” tournament runner-up. This was your best result in K-1 tournament competition so far. What do you think it will take to make it to the winner’s circle this time?
A: Well, it’s gonna take all of me. It’s gonna take my best and a small percentage of luck as well. Last year, Michael McDonald (Note: Cooper’s “Battle at Bellagio III” championship round opponent) had the edge because he had easier fights. This year, we’re in the same bracket so, guess what? I have to get through Michael McDonald to get to the finals and win the tournament. He’s definitely gonna be my stiffest challenge because he can match up with me skill for skill, speed for speed, and technique for technique while the other guys can’t. So, I’ll be real. Michael McDonald is definitely gonna be a problem any time I fight him. But, hopefully (Tsuyoshi) Nakasako will give him a rough fight and, hopefully, I’ll get through Glaube (Feitosa) and, then, we’ll have a rematch one round earlier.
Q: You’ve never been knocked out on a Las Vegas K-1 card despite the fact that your opponents are typically a lot bigger than you. How can you explain your ability to take punishment from these guys and leave the ring standing, win or lose?
A: The thing is, a lot of these guys are relying too much on just that – one factor. But, in a fight, there are many factors involved and a lot of these guys don’t learn the science of it. They’re in there grunting, frownin’, and throwing wild ass punches whereas I’m a more calculated guy. I’m a more scientific guy and I understand the evolution of a fight. Sometimes, you get hit. Sometimes, you’re taking a break. Sometimes, you’re defending and sometimes you’re on the offensive. I understand those parts of the fight and I can tell when a guy is trying to take a break so I can jump on him and get my punches off.
But, the main thing is a lot of guys have quit in them, too. I feel a lot of the top guys get their arm hurt or get their chin split and they quit. My philosophy has always been I’m hurt now. I’m cut. I’m beat up. My arm’s busted up. Why quit now? I’m gonna be hurt all week anyway. (Laughs) So, just that mentality can carry me through a lot of fights. No matter what a guy does to me and how bad he hurts me, I’m not gonna give it up no matter what.
Q: How’s everything going with your boxing career?
A: I’m still undefeated. I’ve got 13 wins now and 2 draws. K-1 is costing me a lot of boxing fights. I’ve had three boxing fights cancelled in the last four months. Guys wanted to fight me and then they realize that I’m the same guy who fights K-1 so they get intimidated because I fight these big guys. These guys at 190 pounds (Note: Cooper competes as a cruiserweight in professional boxing.) are like ‘Damn, he fights 290 pound guys.’
Once K-1 is signed, though, we know its goin’ down. Ain’t nobody pullin’ out. It's gonna be some serious fightin’ that night. One thing about the K-1 that I will say – it really gets my blood boilin’. I’m really gonna be focused.
I’ve got some good surprises this year for K-1. I have one of the top rappers in the game who’s gonna rap as I come out. I’m not even gonna say his name. It’s gonna be a surprise. Everyone’s gonna be shocked when they hear him get on the mic live, pullin’ for The Black Kobra.
Q: So, you’ll just say it’s a well-known rapper for now?
A: I’m talkin’ about one of the realest lyricists in the whole rap game ever. I’m not talkin’ about no Nelly or no chump like that. I’m talkin’ about real rap music and when people see him, they’re gonna freak.
Q: How did you hook that up?
A: It was just luck. (Laughs) The guy was watching ESPN late one night and seen the Carter Williams fight and said ‘That little guy got rough. I want to meet him.’ He contacted me and said ‘Man, I respect you. You fight big, tough guys and you get the short end of the stick.’ He wanted to meet so we all hung out and now we got this thing comin’ up on April 30th.
Honestly, Mike, I’m happy. My dad passed away a few weeks before the Gary Goodridge fight so I had a lot of psychological things that I was going through. Now, I’m doing this for me. I know my ability. I know my limitations and I feel like my skills are endless. No one has seen my best fight yet. I’m still striving for that best fight and, hopefully, I can be at my best on Saturday. If so, I will finally, hopefully, get a chance to raise that trophy up.