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Gareth Fullerton

Meet the teenage Belfast boxer drawing comparisons to Tyson Fury

Meet Jordie Cooke - the young West Belfast boxer destined for a big future.

Jordie is only 13 years of age, but what he lacks in years and experience he more than makes up for in size, standing at an incredible 6ft 4" tall.

The talented teen - who hails from the St James' area - has been working with coach Dee Walsh since he was 10 years of age.

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Walsh is currently guiding the professional careers of unbeaten fighters Padraig McCrory and Lewis Crocker among others, and he is confident young Jordie will be another future Belfast boxing star.

And he also believes the 13-year-old possesses many of the same attributes as lineal heavyweight champion Fury.

"Jordie is 6ft 4in and still very young, so he will only get taller," Walsh told Belfast Live.

"It really is insane, but he comes from a a family that is really tall. So I can see him tipping 7ft before he stops growing out.

"He is an exceptionally talented boxer. He was up at about 80kg at one stage which is light-heavyweight. He is back down a bit now, about 77kg. But he is so sharp at the weight.

"I can remember other fighters in the past who were tall and big, but they were quite cumbersome and not that good.

"Jordie is really, really skilful. That's the difference between him and others who have gone before. And that' why I rate him so highly and keep telling people about him."

And Walsh says a few observers have been comparing his young boxing protege to heavyweight king Fury.

"I have put him in with all the pros I have, including Pody McCrory and Lewis Crocker," he added.

"Now, they are taking it easy on him because the kid is just 13. But it is great experience for Jordie.

Dee Walsh after winning his final fight as a professional (Kevin Scott/Presseye)

"I also put Colm Murphy in with him about two months ago and Colm found it hard to get near him.

"Jordie is that big, that strong and his jab is that good. It is hard to get near him. Just like Tyson Fury.

"Everyone looks at him and says, 'Tyson Fury'. He is elusive and so athletic for someone so tall. And he has power. He takes my hands off on the pads, so he has everything needed to make it as a heavyweight.

"Fury didn't start boxing until he was 16, and Anthony Joshua didn't start until he was 18. And I believe Jordie is more skilful and he's only 13.

"Obviously Tyson has the heart of a lion and he has the physical attributes. But the skill level of Jordie is unbelievable. He is so sharp and he also has the size.

"He still has to pass a lot of tests that Fury has passed. Such as getting knocked down and getting back up again. Fury gets better when he gets knocked down.

"So Jordie has a long way to go to pass those different types of tests, but I have every confidence in him. He will make it to the top level.

"See the way you talk about Fury and Joshua? Well, Jordie can be at that level."

Walsh added: "I genuinely believe, hand on heart, that Jordie could become Ireland's first super-heavyweight medallist at the Olympics. There has never been an Irish super-heavyweight medallist at the Olympics, ever.

"I think Jordie could become the first. It's a blow that the 2028 Olympics currently don't have boxing included. I think he would be 19 when those Games come around and would be ready."

Walsh has been coaching Cooke for the past three years, but the youngster's career was stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also broke his hand at the end of last year which prevented him from entering the All-Irelands.

"I have been training Jordie since the age of 10. He was at Holy Trinity and then he came to me at Gleann when I became coach there," Walsh said.

"The only thing that has stopped him being a national champion before now is Covid. He would have been three-time national champion if it hadn't been for Covid.

"He broke his hand last December before the All-Irelands. So that prevented him as well. He could be multiple national champion already.

"He has won a few titles but never had a chance to win the national championships. But I have no doubt he will go on and do that.

"He just needs experience. He has only had four fights and won them. But Covid obviously impacted on his career."

While Cooke possesses the natural skill inside the ring, Walsh says the fledgling star also harnesses the right temperament outside of it.

The Gleann coach - who retired unbeaten in professional boxing seven years ago - added: "He has a lot of things to learn, but he is so dedicated to the sport. He has a good family behind him who are also fully supportive of his career.

"Jordie has the skill and determination to succeed. And that's rare with young boxers. Some of them have the talent, but they don't want to do the work or live the life.

"I see the work he puts in, and the work and time his family invest in him. As a coach that is brilliant to see. That's what you need in sport.

"And a lot of Jordie's family are 6ft 5', so he is well on his way to being a giant which is a big benefit in the heavyweight division."

Walsh added: "Someone like Anthony Joshua is all power, all fitness, all strength. So the bigger you are, the more you get away with.

"Jordie has all of that, plus the skill. He just has to go through the experience of getting hit hard and having to pick himself off the canvas. it is inevitable because it's heavyweight boxing.

"That's the tests he has to pass when he gets older.

"It has been a joy working with Jordie. Hopefully he can get some fights soon. I am hoping he gets a fight in the Ulsters coming up, and then definitely in the All-Irelands.

"He will hopefully get a couple of fights at the All-Irelands during Easter. That's the plan."

Read more: Carl Frampton opens up on heated confrontation with John Fury

Read more: Carl Frampton praised for standing up to John Fury at press conference

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