Nicky Cook has opened the doors to his training camp and offered Alex Arthur the opportunity to come and watch him train – after the Scotsman went into hiding ahead of their big WBO World Super-Featherweight title clash next weekend. Arthur, who will make the first defence of his belt at the M.E.N Arena live on Sky Box Office on September 6, has gone to a secret location with trainer Wayne McCullough amid fears that he will otherwise be spied on..
Former World Bantamweight Champion McCullough told a Scottish newspaper: “I’m taking Alex to a secret gym away from the media or third parties who might relay our ring game plan to Nicky Cook’s camp.
“Cook was beaten in his last world title challenge with body shots so his camp will be working on how to nullify those. But we are working out a counter strategy, which is top secret, to negate their plans.”
But Cook – who believes he will prevail in his second attempt at a world title – has shrugged off suggestions that he is desperate to find out what Arthur is doing.
“Why is he so worried about me finding out what they are working on?” said the former European, Commonwealth and British champion.
“He’s fought the same all his career – upright, no head movement and poor under pressure, and I don’t see it being any different when he faces me.
“In fact, he’s more than welcome to pop down to my gym in Romford and watch me train because then he’d know what he was in for – a bloody good hiding!
“I’ll make him a cup of tea, lay out a few biscuits and let him put his feet up because he needs all the rest he can get ahead of next Saturday night.
“I really believe that I’m going to be leaving the ring finally crowned world champion, and all the secret training camps in the world won’t do him any good. There will be no stopping me in Manchester.”
The night of boxing will be available to Sky digital subscribers for £14.95 on Sky Box Office channel 743 and in high definition on channel 753. It can be ordered by press the red button on the Sky remote handset – there is a £1 booking fee for any orders made by phone. For further information and to order the event, viewers can call: 08442 410 888
Tickets for 2 Hot 2 Handle, priced at £30, £40, £50, £100, £150 and £200, are available from www.frankwarren.tv
MANCHESTER ARNDALE STAGES AMIR KHAN BIG FIGHT WEIGH-IN
The weigh-in for Frank Warren’s blockbuster M.E.N Arena show on September 6 will take place at the Manchester Arndale, in front of thousands of fight fans.
It follows the recent success of a public workout featuring Amir Khan at one of the UK’s premier shopping centres.
More than 10,000 shoppers turned out to watch Khan put on an electrifying, power-packed, training session with his trainer Jorge Rubio.
Khan faces the hardest test of his career when he takes on unbeaten Colombian puncher Breidis Prescott.
All boxers featuring on the big night of boxing including Khan, Alex Arthur, Nicky Cook and Audley Harrison, will officially weigh-in for their contest the next night at the M.E.N Arena.
When: Friday 5th September
Where: Exchange Square in the Manchester Arndale
Who: Amir Khan, Breidis Prescott, Alex Arthur, Nicky Cook, Audley Harrison, Paul Smith, Stephen Foster Junior, plus many more.
Times: 1pm start
The weigh-in is open for the public to attend and is free of charge.