Hooper ready to step it up a level
In his third professional fight, light welterweight Hooper, 26, will take on Sheffield-born Thorpe, 32, who was trained and managed in South Yorkshire by the former Grimsby ABC boxer's current mentor, Dave Coldwell.
Hooper, a security guard, will fight on the undercard of ex-Mariner Curtis Woodhouse.
The latter, in a British Masters light welterweight title bout, is seeking revenge against Jay Morris, the only man to have beaten the former Town midfielder in the ring.
Thorpe has more than 100 fights under his belt, with 23 wins, three draws and 95 defeats.
The 5ft 7.5in 32-year-old has suffered knock-out defeats to Bolton pro Amir Khan – at London's ExCel Arena in December 2005 – and current Inter-Continental lightweight title holder Kevin Mitchell.
However, Hooper is well aware that Thorpe, who fought in Cleethorpes in September 2001, beating Crewe's Ram Singh by knock-out, has a tough chin and usually lasts the distance.
Hooper said: "Dan is a durable and tricky opponent and, if he sees an opportunity, he will take you out.
"So I'll have to stay focussed and put on a good performance in front of the 140 fans that are travelling to Rotherham to support me.
"Dan's been in the ring with the likes of Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell, so he's no mug.
"It's going to be an awesome show.
"Curtis is looking great and I'm sure he's going to be bring that title home."
Hooper, trained by Sean Wood, started his professional career with a points victory over Stourbridge boxer Ritchie Wyatt on his debut, before a stunning 54-second victory over Peterborough's Marius Jasutis at Hull's Gemtec Arena last Novermber.
Hooper (10st 2lb) has prepared for his third paid bout by travelling to Rotherham to spar with Woodhouse, Scunthorpe's Steve Spence and Barnsley-based boxers Josh Wale and Neil Beevers.
"Training has gone very well," Hooper said.
"Sean, my trainer, has been putting me through my paces.
"I'm looking at getting the six rounds under my belt, boxing smart.
"But if the stoppage comes then it comes."
Coldwell, head of boxing at Hayemaker Boxing, the promotions label founded by WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye and his manager Adam Booth, believes Thorpe will provide a good test for Hooper.
He said: "Dan will give it a good go and the fight will tell us a bit more about Kev.
"Dan can punch. He's a been there, seen it and done-it kind of boxer."
"He's a tricky fighter who can land a big punch.
"I trained Dan and managed him at my gyms in Sheffield and Rotherham.
"I'm sure he will want to put one over on me and would want to win against one of my new fighters.
"I'm happy with what I'm seeing with Kev.
"He's been sparring in Rotherham this week and it's clear he's been improving at a good rate with Sean."
GOOD SHAPE: Kevin Hooper is looking forward to his fight tomorrow.
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