WBO World Super-Featherweight champion Nicky Cook, who was due to feature alongside Enzo Maccarinelli, Amir Khan and Audley Harrison at the ExCeL London on December 6, has been ruled out due to flu. Cook, Britain’s only world champion, was due to makes the first title defence of his title against Salford’s Stephen Foster Jnr but has withdrawn today following professional medical advice..
Big-punching Welshman Maccarinelli will now be the main event when he challenges American Johnathon Banks in a potentially explosive showdown for the Vacant WBO World Cruiserweight title.
The card also features the return of Bolton star Khan in crucial fight against Irish hardman Oisin Fagan for the Vacant WBA International Lightweight championship, while Harrison is in a crossroads fight against Belfast’s Martin Rogan.
“I’m absolutely devastated that I won’t be able to defend my title for the first time and especially as it is in my backyard,” Said Londoner Cook.
“I returned to training last week but it was clear that I had missed too many training sessions to catch up and I just felt really weak because of the flu,”
“I can’t let my heart rule my head and it’s important that I’m 100 percent fit and ready to defend my title rather than lose it and come out with excuses,”
“Although my fight is off, the show goes on and there are some great fights on the card featuring Enzo, Amir and Audley, and I will be ringside to cheer on the lads but I would rather be in there fighting.”
Promoter Frank Warren said, “Obviously this is unfortunate, but these things happen in boxing and Nicky needs to be fully fit to defend his title,”
“Enzo now headlines the show and is in a real hard fight against Banks. We have worked hard to get him a world title opportunity on his first fight back and now it is down to him to do the business in the ring.”
“There is a lot of interest in Amir’s big return and to see how he comes back after his first loss, but he has gone to America and trained with one of the best in Freddie Roach and we will see how he has progressed,”
“Audley has a lot to prove and this is a fight that he must win and win in style to prove his critics wrong. Rogan is as tough as they come and will give Audley a real fight.”
PERRY LOOKING TO EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN
Jack Perry hopes to take a step closer to a Midlands Area Title shot by improving his unbeaten record at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham on Saturday, 6th December.
The Derby boxer is considering stepping up from light-welterweight to welterweight and will see how he gets on at a heavier weight limit over four rounds on the undercard of Carl Froch’s (Nottingham) WBC World Super-Middleweight Title fight against Jean Pascal (Canada) which will be shown live by ITV1
The 21-year-old will be aiming to erase the disappointing memories of his last outing at the same city centre venue when he was held to a draw by Tom Glover in May, which is the only blemish on his eight-fight career.
Since then, Jack has beaten Kristian Laight on points and feels in top form after preparing at the Ingle’s gym in Sheffield.
“I’m hoping to get a title shot – the Midlands or British Masters – next year before I’m 22,” said Jack.
“My only blip so far was my last fight at the Arena, so obviously I’m looking to put that right in the next one.
“I boxed really late on in the show in the last one and it affected me. I had warmed up three times for the fight and when the fight came around I just felt drained and not myself in there. But this time will be different.
“I train with the Ingles up in Sheffield and it has been great experience training alongside British champions like Kell Brook and former world champions like Junior Witter.
“I’m think about moving up a division to welterweight so training alongside British welterweight champion Kell Brook has been great. I don’t feel a full welterweight yet but I’m in between the two at the moment and am looking to move up.
“Training alongside people like Junior Witter makes you set your standards higher and it means you realise you can be there yourself.”
Jack hopes to celebrate victory with a curry.
“One of my sponsors is an Indian restaurant called Anoki,” said Jack. “It’s great getting free meals there when I’m not training and I’m hoping to have an after party there.”
Tickets are available from the 24 hour Box Office at the Trent FM Arena on 08444 124 624 or via www.trentfmarenanottingham.com
ANDERTON AIMS TO MAKE IT A NOTTINGHAM TITLE DOUBLE
Rod Anderton hopes he can make it a double title triumph for Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham on Saturday, 6th December.
Anderton (Nottingham) challenges Danny McIntosh (Norwich) for the English Light-Heavyweight Title on the same bill as Carl Froch’s (Nottingham) WBC World Super-Middleweight Title fight against Jean Pascal (Canada).
Also, Nottingham’s Tyrone Wright challenges Paul David for the English Super-Middleweight Title elsewhere on the same bill.
Anderton will be challenging for his first major title and is confident of taking the belt in McIntosh’s first defence on the Hennessy Sports show, which will be shown live by ITV1.
“It’s a massive night for Nottingham boxing and it’s great to be a part of it,” said Anderton. “Carl is fighting for a world title and it would be great if the three of us won titles on the night. It’s a massive night for both of our careers and there are a few other local lads in action.
“There can’t have been many more bigger nights for Nottingham and East Midlands boxing than this.
“It’s a big chance for me to shine, especially with the chance of the fight being shown on terrestrial TV. I’ve also sold over 300 tickets so I want to deliver for my fans.
“I hope McIntosh is ready for a hard fight because I’m ready to it to him. He beat Steve Spartacus for the title, but Spartacus didn’t have a long time to prepare for it. I’ve had seven weeks and feel great. I’m ready to take this opportunity.”
Anderton wants to make up for the last two times he was in action at the big city centre venue.
“The last time I was supposed to box at the Arena I had to pull out at the last minute sick,” said Rod. “I went from one extreme to the other very quickly. I was getting ready for the fight and feeling great, but then next minute I had covered the changing room in sick. I was gutted because I couldn’t fight then.
“The time before that the referee somehow gave a draw when I fought Phil Callaghan for the second time. I had stopped him before and thought I beat him again so I couldn’t understand the decision.
“But it has gone well since and I’ve won four on the trot so I’m feeling well up for the fight. I’m looking for a better outcome than the last two times I was down to fight at the Arena.”
Tickets are available from the 24 hour B