9:00am Tuesday 28th July 2009
By Steve Butt
SWINDON boxing promoter Keith Mayo says there is ‘a chance’ the town could host Jamie Cox’s British title fight - but the Swindon southpaw faces a prolonged wait for his shot at the belt.
The 22-year-old expected to be next in line after seeing off stubborn Hungarian Janos Petrovics on points last Friday at the Oasis.
Current British champion Kell Brook was expected to relinquish the title in the next few weeks and Cox was tipped to fight for the vacant belt before the end of the year - possibly in Swindon.
But Brook yesterday confirmed he will defend his crown at least once more after signing a deal to fight Michael Jennings, identifying him as the only man who could challenge his claim to be the best welterweight in the country on the back of unsuccessfully challenging Miguel Cotto for the WBO World Welterweight title in New York earlier this year.
“I could have moved on to European or even world level, but I’ve got unfinished business at home and I need to beat Jennings to be number one,” said Sheffield’s unbeaten Brook.
“Having fought Cotto, he is known in the States and if I do a job on him I can make a big statement about my abilities at world level.”
It’s a blow to Cox, who will now probably have to wait until 2010 for his chance, as well as Mayo who was hoping to stage the showdown on another of his KM Promotions shows in Swindon.
Mayo, who hosted Friday night’s School’s Out’ card still believes he will get the chance to host the biggest fight so far in Cox’s career when it does eventually happen.
“There is a chance, a slim chance the show could come to Swindon,” revealed Mayo. “Cox was impressive again on Friday night and he will get to fight for a title now.
“Kell Brook might not be vacating his British title but the English title is still available.
“Obviously Frank Warren’s Sports Network have the final say but if it happens we will talk and do everything we can to get the fight in Swindon. It would be fantastic if we pulled it off but it is very early days.”
Meanwhile Mayo was delighted with another big turn out for his latest show, saying: “Over 1300 people turned out which was great.
“Jamie Cox fought very well and was the highlight and I was very impressed with Marlon Reid again, who enjoyed a first round stoppage. Every fight was well matched and I was delighted with how the whole night went.”
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