Jason Cook gets a crack at the IBO world titlethis Saturday in a sell-out fight with former holder Ariel Olveira.
And news from the Cook camp is that the Maesteg man is in the best condition of his boxing life. According to trainer Brian Evans, the former postie is raring to go against his 25 year old opponent, who has lost just three of his 25 contests. The fight takes place at Bridgend Recreation Centre.
Evans said: 'Training has gone perfectly. Jason has been in the gym for the 13 weeks. Even though he's had a fight in that period, he was back in the gym after 3 days and has never been more than 10st 8lb. We finished sparring a few days ago and can't wait until Saturday'.
Cook will need to be at his best against Olveira, who has KO'd 10 of hios opponents and drawn two.
Evans said: 'He won and then lost the title and is champion of his country, where there are a number of excellent lightweights, so he's going to be tough. But Jason is confident and has said he's going to try and finish by the quick route. I told him if that comes it comes but the most important thing is to win'.
The fact that the bill is already a sell-out is a testament to the Llynfi Valley man's popularity.
The former European champion lost that title before even getting into the ring with the Italian veteran Stefano Zoff in January when he failed to make the weight. Cook subsequently beat beat Zoff. Then he was matched with Aldo Rios in April but suffered a leg injury which left his leg in plaster for several weeks. Rios stepped up to light welter and went onto make an abortive challenge to Ricky Hatton's WBU title, losing in nine rounds. Now Cook, currently ranked 10 by the IBO world list, has a golden opportunity to get his hands on a world title in front of millions of Sky TV viewers on Saturday night.
6/11/03
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How do you guys think Cookie will fair on Saturday by the way?
Sounds like a very tough assigment, this opponent sounds very good. I think the Maesteg faithful will get behind Cookie and he might grind out a close (far from one sided) points win. In a fight that could be similar to Doherty vs Jabir (without the cuts).
I can see Cook winning, but it might be tough. The Argie has been taken out early a couple of times, and there's always a chance the Welshman's left hooks could do the same, but more likely is that Cook will box and punch his way to a late stoppage or a points win.
Kevin Bennett's Commonwealth lightweight crack on the same bill also looks a decent scrap. Champion Michael Muya is by all accounts a good boxer and a typically rugged and unorthadox African. Rumours about Bennett really struggling at the weight, but if he is "right" he has a chance. Should be a belter.
I've also heard that Garry Delaney is struggling to get down to the cruiserweight limit for his forthcoming Southern Area title defence against David Haye.
bennie wrote:I've also heard that Garry Delaney is struggling to get down to the cruiserweight limit for his forthcoming Southern Area title defence against David Haye.
He'll make the weight all right, but it doesn't get any easier as you get older. You have to remember Delaney is a man who once fought for the British heavyweight title.
