Stoke-on-Trent dad prepares for his first professional fight – as a slap fighter
By Liana Snape 16th Apr 2026
A Stoke-on-Trent father-of-two is preparing to take on his first professional fight – as a slap fighter.
Ryan Cooper, 33, will be facing Zed Williams in the ring at Boxpark Liverpool on 25 April as part of BritSlap 8.
BritSlap is a UK-based combat sport league that sees two competitors stand opposite each other over a barrel as they strike each other to the head as hard as they can.
Ryan said: "It's nothing like boxing or anything like that.
"It's just you, another person and a barrel in between. It's all about technique, power and landing on the button."
Ryan, who previously worked as a doorman, travels to Manchester twice a week to train for the upcoming fight.
He explained that he focuses on pad training, building power and strength, and training to brace against hits.
His coach, Louis 'the razor' Robinson is a previous BritSlap heavyweight champion who also competes in Power Slap – an American slap fighting league owned by Dana White.
Ryan added: "On the screen, it might just look like two lads slapping each other, but there are a lot of things going on in the background.
"I'd say a lot of people don't understand the sport yet.
"It's still up and coming and but as you see with the views and things like that, it is on the rise."
Ryan, who has never competed in a combat sport before, first became interested in slap fighting when he saw it on Youtube.
When he first heard that there was a slap fighting organisation in Britain, BritSlap, he contacted them and sent over his profile.
He said: "I was just having some food out with my partner when they contacted me to ask if I would be interested in a business meeting in Manchester.
"I went down to see how the coach feels about me and if I can compete.
"And then I did one session, got back, and he rang me saying he wanted me to sign a contract. That's how it all started."
In the future, Ryan hopes to follow in the footsteps of his coach and become both a BritSlap and Power Slap champion.
He said: "My goal at the end of the day is to dismantle everyone on BritSlap and get myself on Power Slap.
"That's where I want to be."
To book tickets for BristSlap 8 at Boxpark Liverpool on 25 April, visit the website here.
To find out more about Ryan Cooper and his upcoming fights, visit his Instagram page here.
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