READY TO RUMBLE IT'S A HARD KNOCK LIFE FOR THIS INDIE PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

NEWHALL - Perhaps it has taken some time for Bo Cooper to figure out where he fits in the world, but the intimidating 6-foot-3, 300-pounder with a Mohawk and tattoos all over his body has found his calling as a professional wrestler.

A former high school wrestler who lives in Santa Clarita, Cooper admits he has had his brushes with the law and has done more than his share of partying and carousing during his younger years. But he has dedicated his mind, body and soul -- especially his aching body -- to being the next Hulk Hogan or The Rock.

Cooper is well on his way to stardom, too, working through the ranks on the independent pro wrestling circuit. He's the world champion of local outfit Battle Ground Pro Wrestling, successfully defending his belt during a wildly entertaining performance at a packed event Saturday at the local American Legion Hall.

It's tough working your way on the indy circuit, which is one reason Cooper has the words ``paid dues'' tattooed across his knuckles.

The matches may be staged but there's nothing fake about the pain, and two days after being smashed through a table following his victory at the Battle Ground match, Cooper said his ribs were still killing him and that he could barely move.

No big deal.

``The show must go on,'' Cooper said. ``That was a real table with a metal frame. In the wrestling business, that's called `taking a big bump.' We don't always do that, but this time we had to make a point to set up the next match on Oct. 14.''

Through the years, Cooper, 26, has come back from a broken hip, broken ribs, several separated shoulder injuries and, at last count, four concussions. He's been in the ring with such former international stars as Jimmy ``Superfly'' Snuka, The Honky Tonk Man and Tony Atlas.

Cooper hopes one day to make it into the spotlight himself, so he keeps pushing forward as a main event wrestler in small venues, earning a hundred dollars or so wherever someone is willing to set up a wrestling ring.

It's not an easy way to make a living, but Cooper is a survivor.

``I used to be just a punk kid and did all the drugs and stupid stuff early on. Not any more,'' Cooper said. ``I'm still hoping for that big break, and if that opportunity ever comes, I'll take it.''

Cooper has a growing legion of fans who follow him wherever he wrestles, and young children flock for autographs after events.

``We love him. He's amazing,'' said Kristin Uhley, a 22-year-old from Simi Valley who joined fellow Cooper fans Karen Urquhart, 23, John Poleno, 29, and Poleno's son, Austin, 6, at the Battle Ground event.

``I'm here to support Bo. I've seen him three times,'' Urquhart said.

Cooper was in fine form Saturday, taking a huge swig of beer from a fan as he entered the ring before doing a number on challenger Joey ``The Technical Wizard'' Ryan. A melee developed after Cooper pinned Ryan, as several bad-guy wrestlers entered the ring and smashed him through the table, and the crowd went wild.

``I love it. I've been going to see live wrestling since I was kid,'' said Dave Sanders, a 49-year old purchasing agent who also works part time as a musician. ``There's some great talent at the indie level, and if you're at the right place at the right time you can make it to the WWE like John Cena, who started out doing local shows in Orange County. Wrestling has a real cult following.''

There are more than a few wannabes in this business, but Cooper has an edge because he's got the image, combined with surprising athleticism for such a large man.

He is also realistic.

``You just can't expect to get rich in this business. That's not the way it works,'' he said.

Battle Ground promoter Jason Bennett backs Cooper 100 percent, and Bennett believes there isn't a better headliner on the indie circuit.

``The crowd just goes crazy for him, especially in Newhall,'' Bennett said. ``He's a legitimate 300 pounds and he's just so agile for his size. This town loves professional wrestling, and it's Bo Cooper's home town.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Bo Cooper talks to his fans after his match at Battle Ground Pro Wrestling's ``Brawl in Newhall'' show at the American Legion Hall in Newhall on Saturday.

(2 -- color) Bo Cooper performs an arm drag on Joey ``The Technical Wizard'' Ryan during a match at Battle Ground Pro Wrestling's ``Brawl in Newhall'' show at the American Legion Hall in Newhall on Saturday.

Shane Michael Kidder

Staff Photographer