Australian boxing world champion who fought at the Olympics will be tried for a series of serious crimes after alleged violent robbery
- Damian Hooper charged in July 2022 Brisbane robbery
- Boxer faces 15 total charges, including assault
- Hooper won two titles and fought at the 2012 London Games
Former Olympic boxer Damian Duncan Hooper has been promised a trial after being charged with a violent robbery in Brisbane.
The former WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion appeared via video link while in custody at Brisbane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Police allege Hooper, 30, robbed a person in New Farm in July 2022 and “exercised personal violence.”
Hooper (pictured defeating Omar Salamov on the undercard of the 2017 Jeff Horn vs. Manny Pacquiao fight) faces 15 charges, including assault that caused actual physical harm.
The 30-year-old represented Australia at the 2012 Olympics and was warned for wearing an Aboriginal flag t-shirt in the ring against the rules of the competition.
Hooper, who represented Australia at the 2012 London Olympics and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, was charged with robbery.
Hooper’s attorney, Dylan Hans, admitted Thursday that his client had a prima facie evidence case without requiring the court to consider the evidence.
Hooper was promised a trial dated by Magistrate Michael Quinn in Brisbane District Court.
Hooper, who turned pro in 2013 and played on the undercard for Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao, did not apply for bail.
Queenslander, nicknamed “Super” Hooper, won the WBO and IBF International Light Heavyweight titles during his 15-fight professional career.
He also faced four charges of trespassing on premises, two each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and willful damage, assault causing bodily harm, driving without a license, obstructing police, trespassing, and intentional trespassing. guilty of attempted burglary into a home, and of violating the law. He bails on various dates.
Hooper compiled a record of 14 wins and 1 loss, featuring nine knockout victories in his five-year professional boxing career.
He defended his WBO International Light Heavyweight crown by defeating Renold Quinlan in his final fight in 2018, and won the IBF International Light Heavyweight belt the year before.
The 30-year-old was also reported to the International Olympic Committee for wearing an Aboriginal flag in the ring in a match against American Marcus Brown at the 2012 London Olympics, in violation of competition rules.