COOK IN GREAT SHAPE
WBO World Super-Featherweight champion Nicky Cook has hailed one of his best-ever training camps ahead of his big December 6 clash with Steve Foster Jnr at the ExCeL London.
The Essex stylist will make the first defence of the crown he won in sensational style from Alex Arthur in Manchester in September.
Cook has been working hard for the fight under the watchful eye of his father and trainer Paul.
And he believes that the hours spent in the gym will lead him to make short work of Foster - and set up a unification fight in 2009.
"Steve's a great fighter and had Arthur on the floor when he lost to him, so I need to be at my very best," said Cook.
"But sparring has been going great and I believe that I'm going to make a big statement when I defend my title and knock out Foster.
"It's always been my dream to be a world champion, and no one is going to take my belt away from me.
"But I won't sit back and relax now I've finally got my hands on a belt.
"I've readjusted my sights and they are now firmly set on winning more than one world title at super-featherweight.
"There are some great fighters in this division, but I'll be ready for them after I've made a couple of defences.
"I want to be challenging for another title by the end of 2009, and I know with promoter Frank Warren behind me then I can acheive my ambitions."
Cook-Foster is part of an explosive fight card at London's ExCeL, which includes the returning Amir Khan against rugged Irishman Oisin Fagan, as well as Enzo Maccarinelli's WBO World Cruiserweight title challenge against America Johnathon Banks.
JAMIE MOORE will warm up for his crack at the European light-middleweight title by boxing a six rounder at The Helix, Dublin on December 18.
The Irish champion, 30, will have crucial home advantage when he fight Michele Piccirillo for the vacant title early next year after promoter Frank Maloney came to a private agreement with the Italian's handlers.
Maloney said: "These are a crucial few months for Jamie and a six-rounder will fill him with even more confidence ahead of the Piccirillo.
"Getting home advantage against Piccirillo is a big help."
Former British champion Moore (30-3) added the Irish title to his stash when he stopped Ciaran Healy inside three rounds in July.
Maloney added: "Although Jamie boxes out of Salford he is proud of his Irish heritage and I'm sure he'll get another great welcome next month.
"If he defeats Piccirillo it could possibly make a defence of that title in Dublin."
Top of the bill at the venue which is located on the campus at Dublin City University is Rendall Munroe's European super-bantamweight title defence against Italian Fabrizio Trotta.
Ireland's Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland makes his highly anticipated debut when he boxes a six round super-middleweight bout.
Sutherland is a student at DCU but is currently taking a break to fulfil his dream of becoming a world champion.
Tickets for the big Dublin bill are available from www.frankmaloney.com , www.ticketmaster.ie or by calling 0871 226 1508.
"Hot Stuff" Woolcombe Looking To Reignite Career
Light middleweight Gary "Hot Stuff" Woolcombe realized a career ambition by winning the British title in December of last year but a first defense against former champion Ryan Rhodes in April saw the 26 year old lose his grip on the domestic crown when KO'd in the ninth round.
It was a shattering moment for the double glazer but Woolcombe has returned stronger and better equipped to deal with the top men of the 154 pound division as he makes an appearance this Friday evening on the undercard of Scott Woolford vs. Tom Glover at London's historic York Hall on Friday, November 15, 2008.
After spending the last seven months sitting on the sidelines, the longest break of his career, Woolcombe, 25-2 (10), will be brought back slowly as he faces seasoned Nottingham middleweight Matt Scriven, 13-41 (1), who was stopped by Woolcombe previously in four rounds in 2005.
Scriven has been very active over the second half of 2008 as this will be his seventh contest since June, coming on the heels of a six month stretch in 2007 when "Scriv" fought in eight bouts. A former British Masters and Midlands Area light middleweight titlist, the 35 year old has spent time in the ring against such notable domestic opposition as Matthew Hatton, David Walker, John O'Donnell, Matthew Hall, Colin McNeil and Willie Limond.
After having suffered many stoppage defeats early in his career, Scriven has finished on his feet during his last 14 outings, a streak Woolcombe must impressively break if he is to mount a serious campaign to regain his former standing in the light middleweight division.
Victories in upcoming high profile clashes could propel Rhodes and former British champion Jamie Moore out of the UK scene and onto the world stage, setting up a tournament of supremacy in the weight class among Woolcombe and stablemate Thomas McDonagh, Commonwealth titlist Bradley Pryce, Anthony Small, Matthew Hall or even a rematch with English beltholder Andrew Facey.
But Woolcombe knows that any speculation towards his future means nothing if he doesn't put away Scriven in style and that should provide "Hot Stuff" with all the motivation he needs to put on a serious display of fireworks on Friday night.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents welterweights Scott Woolford vs. Tom Glover supported by full undercard, at York Hall in London, England on Saturday, November 15, 2008.
