One step beyond for title hopeful Cox (From Swindon Advertiser)

One step beyond for title hopeful Cox

9:50am Thursday 5th March 2009 in Jamie Cox By Steve Butt

JAMIE Cox will take a step closer to his first title next month when he fights in Wolverhampton.

The Swindon welterweight is set to fight at the end of April and, according to his trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, Cox is just one fight away from a title.

Victory in Wolverhampton will see him contest a Southern Area title in the summer - a fight that could take place in Swindon, subject to promoter Frank Warren.

“Jamie gets back in training now and we’ll spend the next two or three weeks conditioning,” said Fitzpatrick. “He’ll box again April and then we are looking at a Southern Area title in June time.”

Cox’s form of late has been explosive, knocking out his last two opponents in the first round but Fitzpatrick claims the 22-year-old is ready to go the distance to win a title.

A Southern Area title fight would be held over 10 rounds but Fitzpatrick is not concerned about Cox’s lack of time in the ring of late.

He added: “What is he supposed to do? If a guy is there to be knocked out then he has to do it, if he didn’t he wouldn’t be doing his job.

“Jamie is ready for a title fight, he’s boxed 10 rounds in the gym many times so it won’t be a problem.

“At the end of the day you can hope a fight goes the distance but if you can knock your opponent out then you have to do it.

“Jamie is physically very fit and he’ll have no problem if a fight goes the distance.”

Meanwhile Cox’s stablemate and sparring partner Thomas Costello, who is managed by Fitzpatrick’s J&P Sports Entertainment, took his record to eight wins without defeat on Saturday, with a points success over Matt Scrivens at the National Indoor Centre in Birmingham.

n Swindon heavyweight Ben Harding also fights again next month on KM Promotions next show at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Harding’s opponent on April 10 is yet to be confirmed but tickets can be obtained by calling 07789 890453.