Swindon middleweight prospect Jamie Cox makes his long awaited return to the ring this Saturday night (14th February) at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and aims to send out a warning to his domestic rivals that he’s back.
The undefeated southpaw takes on Huddersfield’s Alistair Warren in a ten-rounder as chief support to the potential thriller between Stephen Ormond and Terry Flanagan’s WBO European Lightweight title clash and Eliminator for the WBO World title, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
Cox, 28, has only fought once in the last three and half years - beating Matiouze Royer over six rounds in June last year - due to a serious hand injury and issues outside of the ring that have kept him inactive.
But Cox, who was a stellar amateur claiming Gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and won a Commonwealth title at light-middleweight in the pro ranks, is determined to get back to the top.
With the domestic 160lb division looking very competitive with stars including Billy Joe Saunders, Andy Lee, Martin Murray and Chris Eubank Jnr., Cox says there’s no reason why he can’t be in the mix.
“First of all I’m delighted that Frank Warren has got me on the Wolverhampton show and I’m going to show that I mean business,” Said Cox.
“I just want to fight again and fulfil the potential that I showed when I started out in the sport. I’ve had an unfortunate few years, but they’re behind me know and I’m looking to the future and I’m determined to eventually become a world champion,”
“I’ve got a bit of catching up to do, but I’m still young enough and I’ve matured mentally so I believe that I can still achieve that goals that I’ve set myself and more. It’s like a brand new start for me in my career and it begins this Saturday night at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall,”
“Fortunately I’m in a division with a lot of quality names and there are some very exciting potential fights that can be made. Saunders, Lee, Murray and Eubank Jnr. are all at world level and I reckon after a few more fights I can be up there with them, I’m that confident. Nick Blackwell, John Ryder, and Adam Etches are a there and thereabouts and I know I could beat them now if I had the chance,”
“I’m looking forward to getting things moving again and it’s down to me to put on a top performance against Warren and get the win, before sitting down with my team and planning the next move.”
Promoted by Frank Warren, in association with P.J Rowson, the WBO European Lightweight clash between Ormond and Flanagan, which doubles as an Eliminator for the WBO World title headlines the action-packed card that also features Welsh super-featherweight Craig Evans; Swindon middleweight Jamie Cox; lightweight prospect Joe Costello; Redditch middleweight Andrew Robinson; Corby cruiserweight Simon Barclay; Tipton light-heavyweight Ricky Summers; Dudley light-middleweight Ryan Aston; Swansea bantamweight Jay Harris and the professional debut of Birmingham super-bantamweight Razza Hamza.
Remaining tickers are available from 0870 320 7000 or online at www.wolvescivic.co.uk Doors will open at 6.30pm
BoxNation will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 525. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.
BRITISH LIONHEARTS NAME TEAM FOR RUSSIA IN WORLD SERIES OF BOXING
SAM Maxwell will look to maintain his unbeaten start to this season of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) when the British Lionhearts take on the Russian Boxing team this Thursday (12 February 2015) in Moscow.
The light-welterweight from Liverpool has won both his bouts this season with impressive victories over Touliaowutayi Sarike of the China Dragons and Hamza El Barbari of the Morocco Atlas Lions.
Maxwell said: “It’s been a good start to the season for me, but Russia away is a very tough assignment. It will not be easy but I just need to go there, keep doing the things that have brought me success and stick to my gameplan.”
Maxwell is joined in a relatively inexperienced team by two fellow members of the GB Boxing squad, light-flyweight, Ashley Williams, and middleweight, Dan Woledge.
Welsh Commonwealth bronze medallist, Williams, is yet to record a victory this season following points losses against the China Dragons and the Morocco Atlas Lions. Woledge from Chatham in Kent is making his debut WSB debut.
They are joined in the Lionhearts team by two overseas selections making their first appearances of the season. Holland’s Enrico La Cruz will box at Bantamweight and Abdoulaye Diane from France has been selected in the heavyweight berth.
The match will be shown on BT Sport 2 at 10.00pm on Thursday 12 February 2015.
The British Lionhearts currently sit third in Group A of WSB with six points from four matches, which includes two wins and two defeats. Russia have two wins and a loss from three matches and sit a place below the Lionhearts having won fewer bouts in the course of the season.
Cello Renda has his sights set on lifting the Prizefighter Middleweights trophy at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, live on Sky Sports on Saturday night, having been involved in one of the tournament’s most exciting finals against Martin Murray in 2008.
Renda made it to the final of the fourth edition of Prizefighter, losing out on a split-decision to Martin Murray at York Hall in a fantastic final. While Murray prepares to take on Kazakhstan phenomenon Gennady Golovkin in a World title clash, 29 year old Renda recalled that night in east London ahead of his second crack at the trophy.
“I have very, very good memories of last time,” said Renda. “People still talk the final between Martin and me and say it was the best final Prizefighter has had. I know what it is all about going into this Prizefighter, and I know how much I have to dig deep and bite on that gumshield to get that win.
“Being involved in it before has set me up really well for this Prizefighter because I know the lads who are in it this year haven’t been through it like I have and that is going to hold me in good stead.
“I have a good feeling about tonight because I’ve been here before. I have done the interviews before, the TV with the cameras, I know the format, getting into the ring, out and back in again. I have been through all of that but some of the fighters might freeze in front of it all.
“You have to be willing to dig deep and let your hands go. You only have three rounds and before you know it the fight could be over and you have only just got started and it is too late.
“The experience is a massive help. The fighters that are in it, no disrespect, but they aren’t going to show me anything I haven’t already been through. I have had 37 fights, I have been tested, I have been beaten and I am sure the people who are in Prizefighter, had they fought the people I have fought, they wouldn’t still be unbeaten. These boys haven’t fought anybody that has asked questions of them. I know come fight night when I am hitting them on the chin, the questions will be answered.”
Renda’s second crack at the Prizefighter trophy sees five fighters put their unbeaten records on the line in local favourite Jack Arnfield, Irishman Luke Keeler, Wales’ Tom Doran, Preston’s Mick Hall and Birmingham’s Craig Cunningham. Former finalist Cello Renda is aiming to go one better while youngsters Liam Conroy and Luke Crowcroft can give their careers a massive boost with victory. The draw for the action will be made live on Sky Sports news at 10.30am tomorrow.
Brian Rose headlines in his hometown and takes on Carson Jones for the vacant WBC International Light Middleweight title, and there are four-rounders for Lytham St. Annes’ English Lightweight champion Scotty Cardle and Marcus Morrison in his third pro outing.
Only £40 tickets remain available to buy at www.MatchroomBoxing.com .
