Does anyone fancy Nicky Cook tonight?

[Lightsoot]

I'd appreciate the forum's views / advice on Nicky Cook vs Ricky Burns tonight please. I really think that Cook has got an excellent chance of pulling this off and am planning on lumping big on him at the bookies but the lack of support for Cook is making me think twice. At face value, I can see why Burns is being favoured. He's improved, he's in form, he's been active and has the confidence that comes from being a world champion. And on a like-for-like basis he obviously defeated Martinez who Cook was stopped by. On paper, advantage Burns.

BUT, I just think there's not a lot between them. Cook was doing well against Martinez, he just got caught with a good shot. Nicky has looked increasingly fragile as he's stepped up in class, particularly around the body, but Burns isn't a banger. The Scot punches with enough authority but I think there's every chance that this is going long.

I still think Cook's a good fighter, especially at European level and, no disrespect to Ricky, I don't think he's levels above this. Aside from his heroic performance against Martinez he's been the usual Ricky Burns for me in his last two world title defences. I think in this instance a rest may have benefited Cook and in contrast I think Burns may actually need a rest because he's look flat lately. IF Cook can come bulldozing out of the traps and take the fight to Burns, as he did against Alex Arthur and Cyrille Thomas, then I believe he'll pull this off, providing he's done the weight properly (which can't be certain, because Cook struggles to get down to 9st 4lbs).

Cook loves attacking to the body and I think he could bully Burns on the inside. For once, I also think Burns conceding home advantage is another shot in the arm for Cook. The Scottish fans who back Burns are fantastic, I'd be surprised if the contrast of boxing to a more passive crowd in Liverpool fails to effect him, at least partially.

Depending on where you shop, you can get approx 4/1 on Cook to win tonight. Does anyone else plan on lumping on Cook? If so, I'd be interested in hearing your views. Similarly, I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who believed Burns will win this easily.

Whichever way this goes, I can only see a close fight on the cards, and possibly a split decision.

[kamicazze]

Ladbrokes have suspended bets on Ricky Burns to stop Cook in round 3

[Camcas]

Put your money on Burns not a chance Cook will win this one

[sgtcecil]

Ladbrokes have suspended bets on Ricky Burns to stop Cook in round 3

That bet is just over 5/2 on betfair. Something strange going on!

[Trojans44]

If cook avoids stoppage hell be doing well.

[stujones]

I'm giving Cook a better chance than most..... I'm really surprised to see so many tipping a Burns stoppage.

Cook might be the best boxer Burns has ever faced.

[patlallyjack]

I am a fan of both fighters, they are a credit to the sport. My head says a Burns win but i expecting it to be closer than the odds suggest.4/1 is excellent value and tempting to have a bet but ultimately will probably be money down the drain?

[GlobalBox]

With this gamble on Burns round 3 the bookies are pushing Cookie out dramatically, he is now 13/2 with Sportingbet for anyone that fancies him.

Fancy Burns by body shot stoppage around the 7th myself

[TheCobra]

It'll look bloody dodgy if Cook folds in the 3rd!

[ryan917]

Cook is dead at the weight, burns will knock him out.

[GlobalBox]

It'll look bloody dodgy if Cook folds in the 3rd!

They probably won't pay out, they have rules about anything they consider iffy and as you say it would look very strange.

Can't see anyway that Cookie or his dad would allow this to happen they are far too straight for this sort of shenanigan.

There was the same sort of thing for the Sturm/Macklin fight, it was for Macklin to stop Sturm in the fourth and quite a lot of money went on and the price
disintegrated and Macklin actually threw less in the 4th than he had in the first three.

Probably one of these rumours that gets out of hand and everyone adds a bit on each time they tell it to someone.

[alexpaterson]

Burns' workrate is too much for Cook, I can see him having a little success early before Burns catches up with him in the middle rounds and dominates with combinations and effective pressure. I see a corner retirement or stoppage around the 8th or 9th

[Lightsoot]

Thank you for the feedback guys. Cook recently fought against Yousef Al Hamidi and was a good 6lbs over the super-featherweight limit. He's always been tight at 9st 4lbs though so I'm not too alarmed by this.

The odds on Burns winning in round three have certainly fallen though. Surely not.

[gibbo]

ive heard a lot about this round three around the streets. dont believe a word of it myself. I think burns is a good fighter but surely cook must fancy him self

[Counter-puncher]

Burns' workrate is too much for Cook, I can see him having a little success early before Burns catches up with him in the middle rounds and dominates with combinations and effective pressure. I see a corner retirement or stoppage around the 8th or 9th

spot-on, IMO, champ

[punchers chance]

you have to take a leap of faith that Cook is still capable of boxing to his old level, as he has basically been out of this sort of competition for 2 years.
It would be a 50-50 if he was at his best, but unless you have some knowledge of his training I couldnt back him.

[gasman]

No, I dont fancy Cook, but I was tempted to pick McKenzie. I dont think Bellew is a light heavy and he looked too vulnerable against McKenzie in the first fight. He didnt box well and just loaded up whlist ignoring his own defense and he looks chinny at light heavy.

The other concern is his team. Who is training Bellew now? Any trainer worth their salt would not have allowed Bellew to attempt to lose so much weight in a couple of days to fight Cleverley, so you have to wonder if he has a strong team around him and a respected voice that he listens to and also that will help him develop further.

On the other hand, Bellew has an excellent boxing pedigree that was honed from his amateur days and there is an argument to suggest that he will box this time, but he is a hot head and McKenzie has been winding him up with the drug slurs etc, so he could come out all guns blazing. This would suit McKenzie. And one other important ingredient in this match up is that McKenzie very rarely gets this much advance notice for a fight, his career has been plagued with short notice for fights, so expect a fully prepared Ovil McKenzie. I am tempted to throw a few quid on McKenzie stopping Bellew.

[ed robinson]

Just bumped into him as he was having a relaxing walk around town in Liverpool. I thought he looked and sounded really well, he can't understand the odds against him and fancies the job but then I wouldn't expect him to say anything different! Bellew looked as good as I've ever seen him on the scales, check weighed an hour and a half early and was a pound under, so he could even have a drink before the weigh-in.

[jizzle]

Just bumped into him as he was having a relaxing walk around town in Liverpool. I thought he looked and sounded really well, he can't understand the odds against him and fancies the job but then I wouldn't expect him to say anything different! Bellew looked as good as I've ever seen him on the scales, check weighed an hour and a half early and was a pound under, so he could even have a drink before the weigh-in.

Are you allowed to check weigh on the day and at the scales before the main event?

Sounds unfair given that boxers are given a set time to hit the limits!

[stujones]

Thank you for the feedback guys. Cook recently fought against Yousef Al Hamidi and was a good 6lbs over the super-featherweight limit. He's always been tight at 9st 4lbs though so I'm not too alarmed by this.

The odds on Burns winning in round three have certainly fallen though. Surely not.

Cook was a featherweight for most of his career. Extremely tight feather yes, but I would imagine those 4 lbs make a big difference.

[freddydoesdallas]

Couple of trips to the scales doesn't fill me with confidence. I can only see a murray stoppage now

[Wrists]

Burns all the way here for me.

Think Cook is past his best and looked tight at the weight.

This is Burns's time

[mkirkhope]

Oh well he lasted 20 seconds

What a disgrace.

[rapid2]

[wesley05]

No mate