PJ ROWSON hopes to see Jamie Cox fight for a title in Swindon within nine months after snapping up the former Commonwealth champion for his First Team Promotions stable.

The West Midlands-based promoter believes the 26-year-old has the ability to live up to his early potential after a difficult few years in and out of the ring.

Cox has twice lost his licence for indiscretions away from boxing and has also had to deal with the death of his father Tony.

His WBO international middleweight title fight against Gary O’Sullivan was cancelled in October and Cox subsequently split with promoter Frank Warren.

Rowson, 46, who looks after Trowbridge boxer Nick Blackwell amongst others, wants to see Cox reinvigorate his career and go for a title belt in his home town.

“Jamie Cox is a terrific addition to my stable and I’m sure he’ll be fighting for honours in the not too distant future,” said Rowson.

“He has the ability to be world-class and a talent that needs to be shown.

“He will have a comeback fight and then he will fight for a title by the end of this year, and if we can get the right deals together, it will be in Swindon.

“I’ve been in the boxing world as a leading promoter for 10 years, but I don’t put myself forward as other people do as the star of the show. I believe the boxer should be the star.”

The Advertiser understands Cox will make his comeback in May, the Swindonian’s first fight in 18 months following his Commonwealth light-middleweight title win over Obodai Sai in September 2011.

In a controversial victory, Cox fractured his left hand and that put paid to his hopes of fulfilling a defence, meaning that ultimately he lost the belt.

However, Rowson says that his fighter’s hand is ‘standing up to training’ and is confident that he will be as sharp as ever when he finally makes his comeback.

“The hand problem he had was horrendous and certain surgeons told him he would never box again,” said Rowson.

“He saw the best surgeons Harley Street could offer and they weren’t optimistic, but since then he saw a specialist boxing surgeon and I have no doubt he will be back full-force.”

Cox has only fought three times since November 2009 but remains one of British boxing’s hottest prospects with a record of 16 wins and no defeats.