by James Slater — Exciting 23-year-old southpaw Jamie Cox of Swindon, U.K, is perhaps one win away from a shot at the British welterweight title. The 12-0(7) talent, who captured Commonwealth gold in 2006, fights veteran Manoocha Salari on this Friday’s big Liverpool card that is topped by British 147-pound champ Kell Brook defending against former champion Michael Jennings – and the word is, if he’s victorious, Cox will fight the winner.
Speaking to me about this and other things today, Jamie very kindly gave the following answers to my questions:
James Slater: It’s great to speak with you, Jamie. First of all, how’s training gone for your fight on October 30th, against Manoocha Salari?
Jamie Cox: Training’s gone well. Everything’s on point and I’m just looking forward to the fight now.
J.S: What do you know about Salari? He’s a southpaw like you isn’t he?
J.C: Yeah, he’s a southpaw. I’ve not actually seen him fight but I have looked at his record. He’s been in with some top fighters, like Ryan Rhodes. You have to be ready for any style anyway.
J.S: I see he has a stoppage win over Martin Concepcion from a few years back. He could be dangerous then?
J.C: For sure. You can’t take any fighter or any fight for granted. You have to take very fight like it’s a world title fight.
J.S: I read how you got a cut over your right eye in your last fight back in July. Has there been any problem with that?
J.C: It was a very small cut, high up on the brow. It’s healed perfectly and I’ve had no problem with it at all in training camp.
J.S: I’ve read how Frank Warren has verbally promised you a fight with the winner of October 30th’s headliner between Kell Brook and Michael Jennings. Is that a definite?
J.C: Yes, Frank said that to me and I trust Frank and take his word. So yeah, that would be a very exciting fight, me against whoever wins on the 30th.
J.S: And who do you think wins that one, Jamie?
J.C: I think it’s a close fight, a fifty-fifty fight. Kell has the speed and the power, while Jennings has the experience. You know, Jennings has been around for ages, he’s been in with [Miguel] Cotto and nothing fazes him. It’s a very interesting fight. If it goes late, I’d go with Jennings. I’m not really going to call a winner, but Kell has the better chance early on I think.
J.S: You’ve been after a fight with Kell Brook for a while now. Deep down do you kind of hope he wins so you can fight him, or are you not concerned who wins?
J.C: I’m not bothered [who wins]. I just want to fight the best of the best, so I can show how good I am. Obviously Kell’s doing very well right now, he’s just won the Young Boxer of The Year award. But I want to get in there and show people what I can do.
J.S: How far is your fight with Salari scheduled for?
J.C: It’s scheduled for 8 rounds.
J.S: And it’s on a big bill, which is to be shown live on Sky Sports. I know you’ve been shown live on Sky before, but is it fair to say this fight is the biggest bill you’ll have been on so far as a pro?
J.C: No, I fought on the under-card of the Joe Calzaghe-Mikkel Kessler fight – in front of about 60,000 people, which was a bit daunting. Daunting but exciting. I don’t think anything will ever compare to that really.
J.S: My apologies, I didn’t know you fought on that card. Still, October 30th’s bill is a big one; you obviously want to shine in your fight?
J.C: I definitely want to shine. Like I say, I want to show how good I am, and then hopefully they will start building up my fight against the Brook-Jennings winner.
J.S: Do you want a KO against Salari, or would you like to get some rounds in?
J.C: As long as I win in style. A KO can look good, as long as I look good up until I get it. Or if I shine in every round on the way to a big win on points.
J.S: Ideally, would you like the Jennings-Brook winner next, or would you prefer to have another fight beforehand?
J.C: I’m ready now. I’d like to fight the winner in my next fight after this one.
J.S: Well, it’s been great speaking with you, Jamie. I appreciate your time. You’re 12-0(7) now, and you’ll definitely be 13-0 come October 30th?
J.C: I hope so, yes.