JAMIE COX: ‘ALBERT’S WON TEN BACK-TO-BACK. NOW HE’LL BE GOING OUT ON HIS BACK!’
White hot Swindon super-middle Jamie Cox knows that another sizzling stoppage win on the undercard of the ‘Second Coming’ bill at Dublin’s National Stadium on Saturday, could vault him straight into a world title crack early next year.
The unbeaten 29 year old southpaw stunner defends his WBO European crown against 22 year old Hungarian Ferenc Albert in a scheduled 10 rounder but expects to be in the shower much earlier.
‘‘I’ve watched the kid on tape for a few rounds. He’s won ten back-to-back now he’ll be going out on his back. I need to demolish him to get to where I want to be,’ says joltin’ Jamie who is coached by John Costello and managed by Lee Beard.
‘I always prepare to do all the (scheduled) rounds. I always spar between eight and 12. But when it ends early on fight night, I ain’t complaining. Earlier the better. You never want to be taking extra punches for fun at this level.’
After bagging a Commonwealth Games gold medal down at light-welter in 2006, then a Commonwealth professional title at light-middle in 2011, the 5ft 11in Wiltshire wonder re-surfaced this year at a beefy 12 stone. Clearly, it was at no cost to his fabled punch power as both comeback opponents were left writhing on the carpet, long before the first round had concluded.
‘I’ll definitely not be found wanting for strength at the new weight,’ claims Cox who is undefeated in 19, with 11 early endings.
‘I’ve sparred with James DeGale and I felt more than strong enough. From the age of 15 to 20, I was doing ground work on building sites six or seven days a week.
‘Lately, I’ve been working with a good level British cruiserweight, six to eight rounds at a time and again, no problems. I’ve always had quick hands and my speed is more telling against these heavier guys. Likewise, the super-middles are a bit slower than the lighter fighters. You see the shots earlier.’
A brutal body puncher, blessed with a recently re-constructed wrecking ball back hand, Cox is spreading fear and menace through his new division, just as he did when romping to the senior ABA title as a teenager in 2005-6.
‘I don’t want points. Boxing’s the entertainment business and fans come to see knockouts. I want them to witness something special after they’ve shelled out their hard earned money,’ says the qualified fitness instructor who fought just once between September 2011 and February 2015 due to the worst hand injuries promoter Frank Warren claimed he’d ever witnessed.
‘I work exceptionally hard in the gym to get the job done. The gym is where you do the studying to pass the exam on fight night. I eat right, sleep right, train right and all of that gives you confidence that you’ll perform right when it matters.’
‘I’m looking a world title fight early next year. When I get the job done this weekend it’ll take me to 20-0. I’ve been in the game long enough and now I’m now world ranked. I just need the opportunity. When it arrives, I won’t let it slip. We’ve worked way too hard to let this slip,’
Already rated as number eight contender to Arthur Abraham in the WBO listings, the Wiltshire wonder is happy to chance his arm against any of the reigning global belt holders. He is more than happy to duke it out against the rich band of domestic contenders to cement his worth.
‘I’ll basically fight whoever I have to, to get a world title shot; the winner of Smith-Fielding, Buglioni, Paul Smith, (Martin) Murray, Groves, DeGale, any of them. I’d knock any 12stone man in the UK spark out. I’m not cocky but over the last few years I’ve really got my head down. A world title is all that’s in our mindset,’ says Cox, who often speaks in the plural in deference to his back-up team.
‘I don’t care if it’s DeGale (IBF), Badou Jack (WBC) or Fedor Chudinov (WBA). If we get a chance, we’ll be world champion because we work harder than any of them.
How? By knocking them out! From now on that’s my mindset for every fight. I’ve got huge natural power, and I’ll fashion the openings through my boxing skills, by being scientific.’
‘Frank works closely with Wlad (Hrunov) and Fedor’s fought here before so that should be do-able. I’d like it made as soon as possible.
‘The way I’m performing in sparring, I know I’d knock Chudinov out. He’s not hard to find. He fights like me but I’ve got better tools. Frank Buglioni gave a decent account of himself when he challenged Fedor but was gun shy early. I won’t be.
‘I’ve been at the Mayweather gym in Vegas so I know Badou Jack’s level and I know he definitely gets wiped out.’
Irish fans can certainly expect their fix of fireworks on Bonfire weekend.
‘‘I’m pretty lucky. I’m half Welsh, half Irish. I’ve a lot of family in Donegal so I’ll have good support,’ concludes Cox.
‘I just want to keep the buzz going. Above all, I want to give a pleasing display to those who pay to come and support me. That’s what I value most.’
The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.
