Cox 'one bout away' from British title shot (From Swindon Advertiser)

Cox 'one bout away' from British title shot

7:40am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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JAMIE Cox has added the final weapon to his armoury as the Swindon southpaw prepares for the “most dangerous” fight of his professional career.

That is the opinion of coach Paddy Fitzpatrick, who reckons he has mentored his protégé to within one bout of a British title shot.

Cox is on the undercard at the Night of Champions event at Wembley Arena on Saturday, February 13, and while his talent and raw ability have never been in doubt, Fitzpatrick believes the 23-year-old’s new found patience and discipline can make him a champion.

“From his last fight in October, Jamie has shown the mental growth that we have been working on for the two and a half years that we’ve been together,” the trainer told the Advertiser.

“We put a game plan together which he stuck to and it meant Jamie didn’t necessarily fight the fight he wanted to. But he fought the right one instead.

“Physically and technically he has always been ready for a title shot, but only against Salari did he prove that he was mentally ready too.

“We’ve got to put in another fight like that this time.

“We’ve always been trying to get past the fighter’s ego, telling him that you can’t fight the fight you want to fight in your heart.

“Instead, you’ve got to fight the right technical one and keep that aggression in your belly, which Jamie is now doing.”

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Cox has 13 wins from as many pro contests but is yet to find out the identity of his Wembley opponent.

And with that due to be confirmed in the next 48 hours, Fitzpatrick insists the youngster will have to approach the fight in the right manner, regardless of who he goes glove-to-glove with.

“Even if Mickey Mouse is in the other corner to Jamie, this is Jamie’s most dangerous fight to date,” he explained.

“The promoters are just putting the finishing touches to things, but we are supposed to be fighting in April for the British title.

“If Jamie goes out and looks anything less than great, then that title fight won’t be an easy sell.

“I hate these warm-up fights because I have seen too many guys in the past take their eye off the ball thinking it will be easy, and then get into trouble when they step into the ring.

“But this has been the best training camp Jamie’s ever had in terms of sparring. We’ve been doing 12 and 10 rounds and are now on six rounds just to keep him sharp. He’s in great shape and everyone is really looking forward to it.”

On Saturday, February 6, Jamie Cox will be holding an open workout at the Boxing Academy, in Maxwell Street.

Starting at noon, the session is a chance to see Cox in action before his latest fight, and entry costs £1 per person with all proceeds going to the NSPCC, the charity for which Cox is a spokesman.