JAMIE Cox has been told to expect more occasions to rival Saturday night’s unsuccessful bid for world glory after proving himself as worthy to go toe-to-toe with the best 12 stone boxers.

Cox gave WBA Super super-middleweight champion George Groves several anxious moments before being picked off by a debilitating body shot in the fourth round of their World Boxing Super Series quarter-final at Wembley’s SSE Arena at the weekend.

The 31-year-old’s defeat was his first in 25 professional contests and denied him the chance of further progress in the series and the opportunity to lift the prestigious Muhammad Ali Trophy.

While Groves moves on to a new year showdown with highly-rated compatriot Chris Eubank Jr, the former Walcot amateur will take time to plot his next career move, secure in the knowledge that his albeit brief Wembley showing did not go unnoticed by the sport’s movers and shakers.

Kalle Sauerland, of the Sauerland Promotions, one of the founders of the World Boxing Super Series, said: “I think Jamie showed that he has got acute potential and he certainly had his moments and showed that he’s a very, very technically gifted boxer.

“He got caught by potentially the body punch of the year and I think he’s one for the future in the sport.

“We’ve justified to certain people who doubted him in the tournament. He showed that he definitely belongs at this level.

“I think the experience was maybe lacking at this stage but he’s certainly gathered that now on the big stage and I’m sure the big fights will come his way very soon.’’

Where the Swindon southpaw’s career, under the guidance of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable, goes next remains to be seen, although the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist appears to have ruled out fighting at middleweight (11st 6lbs).

Cox said: “I’m going to have a little break. I’ve been training very, very hard for this fight so it will be a couple of weeks rest and then back in the gym.

“I’ll speak with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and go from there.

“It was a great fight and great to be part of this World Boxing Super Series.

“George Groves is a great world champion and I relished the opportunities that are forthcoming.

“I had to work to make the weight and I’m always in the gym.

“I couldn’t make middleweight. If I made middleweight, my performance wouldn’t be good so do you try and make middleweight and look rubbish? I’ve fought where it was comfortable.’’