DESPITE being favourite to record victory and maintain his unblemished record, Jamie Cox is going into his fight with Janos Petrovics tonight with the utmost respect for his veteran Hungarian opponent, writes STUART SMEDLEY.

The 37-year-old has been stopped just six times during his professional career, which started in 1997, and Swindon’s finest is predicting a tough test after sizing up his rival at yesterday’s weigh-in.

“He’s done the rounds and he’s a tough guy.” the Commonwealth Games gold medallist said.

“He’s rarely been stopped, which is no shame for any boxer.”

However, Cox remains confident about his chances, stating: “He’s a very good opponent but the more pressure on me, the better I fight.”

Cox admitted he knows little about his opponent, but his trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick has witnessed one of his fights before, meaning Petrovics will not be a comlpete unknown.

Despite taking a drop down from his traditional light middleweight class, Petrovics weighed in the lighter of the two at a shade below 148 lbs; Cox came in at 153 lbs.

Petrovics, an Olympian in 1992, said: “It’s a very important fight for me, I came here to win.”

“I don’t know much (about Cox), I just know his record.”

The Hungarian’s career has been a unique one, for he took seven years off following his debut before returning to the ring in 2004, the temptation being just too good to miss for him.

“That was a different time.” he explained of his break. “I was living in Canada and trying to do other things. But after seven years I felt I had to go back to the gym.”

Before the main event on the School’s Out card, fellow Swindonian Marlon Reid faces Ernie Smith, a boxer Cox knows all about, having beaten him in December.

Reid, who came in at 170 lbs, conceded he hasn’t spoken to Cox about the 5’8 Smith, who has lost a staggering 141 fights, however he will not underestimate him.

“He’s going to be wanting it.” he said. “But I want it more.”

“(My height) is going to be an advantage so I’ve got to keep him at long range.”

Cox, who knocked Smith out in the first round with a body shot offered this advice to Reid: “It would be great for Marlon to just use his reach and aim for the body.”