A FORMER Brierley Hill boxer who made a shock departure from the ring has returned to train future stars of the sport.

Shaun Cooper looked to be a champion in the making when he won the first 16 fights of his career, only to surprisingly quit in 1991.

He ended up working as a bodyguard for Saudi Arabian royalty in London but, now aged 41, he is back grooming some of the Black Country's best young fighters from his base at Fitness First gym on Level Street. Dudley fighters Jamie Ball, Chris Male and Sam Padgett are among his charges.

Cooper revealed he still has mixed feelings about his original decision to walk away from the sport.

Shaun said: "I don't think I was with the right sort of people to help me progress.

“I had never had a break from boxing as an amateur for England and then as a professional.

“I became stale and didn't know where I was going so I went out of the game.

“At that stage I suppose I was on the verge of even greater things but at the time I didn't think I had the dedication and it was best to walk away.”

Cooper was persuaded to return to the sport by Ball, his nephew, when he turned professional.

Cooper said: “We have not looked back since and Jamie has an unbeaten record after seven fights.

“I also have several other promising young boxers including Chris Male, Sam Padgett and Dean Anderson keen to progress and already they have had some good wins.

“They have given me 100 per cent dedication and we also train over at Wednesbury at the First Team camp, where they have a squad of 60 boxers which ensures there are always local boxers on the shows organised by PJ Rowson.

“I'm now 41 but training these boxers keeps me young as I do all the sparring with them.”