8:30am Friday 12th February 2010
By Sam Morshead
LOCAL boxer Jamie Cox believes that he is in the shape of his life ahead of his clash with Michael Frontin at Wembley Arena tomorrow night, writes SAM MORSHEAD.
The Swindon Southpaw, who remains undefeated after 13 bouts, features on the undercard of promoter Frank Warren’s ‘Night of Champions’ event.
And the 23-year-old is confident of extending his impressive streak as a professional after half a year of rigorous preparation.
“I haven’t been out of the gym since my last fight, so I’ve been training constantly for six months now,” said Cox, pictured right.
“I feel in great condition. I’ve been putting in the rounds in the gym.
“The sparring has gone well. I’ve done 12 rounds a few times now so I know I’m more than ready for 12 rounds on Saturday.”
Both Cox and his trainer, Paddy Fitzpatrick, insist the former Walcot mauler has the stamina to edge a test of 12 rounds.
And with Frontin inexperienced with the length of the fight, the pair are adamant Cox will prove he has earned a shot at a British title.
“I’ve shown nearly every fight that I’ve got better, better and better. With this fight I’m going to show that I’m more than ready for the British title fight,” he said.
“Frontin hasn’t been stopped before but I’m not looking for the knockout necessarily.
“But the way that I’m going out there to box, and the fact that he’s never been eight rounds before, means that I have the edge on him.
“I’ve got the endurance, I’ve got the game and I’ve got the skills to beat him.
Frontin holds a career record of 2-6-1, but the 32-year-old’s losses have all come against opponents with winning records, and Cox is aware of the threat posed by the Mauritian national.
“He’s had a fairly decent record,” he said. “He’s fairly good but I’m going to go out there and do what I need to do and look impressive.
“The fight for the British title has been put back to April now so I’ve got Frontin on the 13th, and I’m just going to show people how much I’ve improved.”
Cox is taking a large contingent of fans with him to the event in London tomorrow, which is headlined by Welsh pounder Nathan Cleverly and lightweight sensation Kevin Mitchell.
But the opportunity to perform on such a big stage is far from overwhelming for the Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
“It’s nice to box in front of my family, friends, fans but I’ve got a job to do that night and I’m going to go out there and do it,” he said.
“Come this weekend, I’m going to be on fire.”
Fitzpatrick has been impressed with Cox’s preparations for the fight.
The Irishman, who runs the Boxing Academy on Maxwell Street, expects his charge to produce an emphatic display tomorrow night.
“Everything is going fantastic, Jamie’s had more training for this fight than for his last two or three combined,” he said.
“He’s looking really strong and in great shape to go and do his stuff at Wembley.”
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