BoxRec

This could happen on the undercard of Jones vs Tarver III.

Apparently, Cook is on a shortlist of 4 names to fight Chris John on the undercard.

The others are Spend Abazi, the Danish WBA International champ, Jose Pablo Estrela who has nine defeats and ranked 10 by the WBA and a rematch with Derrick Gainer.

Mmmm - Do you think Cook has a chance, John's last two victories have been somewhat impressive not the soft touch I once thought he was.

Here is the snippet from Fightnews.


INDONESIAN UPDATE:

John on Tarver-Jones card?

August 10, 2005

By Jeff Pamungkas
Photo: Jeff Pamungkas


WBA featherweight champion Chris John's trainer / manager Craig Christian has confirmed the rumor that he received an offer from Ring Square Inc. to fight on Jones vs Tarver undercard, October 1 in Tampa. "I'm now learning it, if it's financially good for Chris, we will go to the US," said Christian. John himself actualy prefers to fight in his homeland Indonesia for the next fight, but he leaves everything to his manager to decide the best for him. If he fights in Indonesia, Christian has some options about John's future opponent in featherweight range; Nicky Cook (England, EBU champion, 25-0, 15 KO's), Spend Abazi (Denmark, WBA int'l champion, 32-1, 10 KO's) or Jose Pablo Estrela (Argentine, 36-9-1, 16 KO's, WBA # 10).

If John accepts the offer from the US, then John will be the fourth Indonesian fighter to fight for a world title in the US, following Ellyas Pical (lost UD12 by Juan Polo Perez in IBF super flyweight title bout, 1989 in Roanoke, VA), Anis Roga (lost TKO4 by Mauricio Pastrana for IBF light flyweight title in Florida) and Andrian Kaspari (lost TKO 3 by Tim Austin for IBF bantamweight title in Las Vegas). "Definitely Chris will be the first Indonesian to win the bout in the US," said Craig Christian confidently. Chris John himself is reported to return to Indonesia after the last Sunday's big victory over Aussie challenger Tommy "Young Gun" Browne in Sydney, Australia. The champion is waiting for his baby that will due soon in his hometown of Semarang, Indonesia.

Another option is Derrick Gainer's for a rematch with Chris John in the US. Gainer said he'll look for a promoter to feature Gainer vs John. Gainer was lost by unanimous decision, April this year in Jakarta Indonesia. About this, Christian also shows his interest, "We will prove nothing [against] Gainer as we did it in Jakarta last time. But if it's financially good, we're ready for a rematch with Gainer."

It would be a hard match for Cook, but a winnable one.
Chris John was impressive in his last match against Browne , stopping him in the 9th, this is after Browne had gone the distance with Chi.
Saying that though Browne was still pretty much untested before stepping up to meet those 2.

John isn't the biggest puncher in the world, i'd say him and Cook would be even in the Power department, and Indonesian fighters arn't the best travellers , not many have won in the US.

It would be a great fight but is Cook ready for a battle of such intensity yet? John is a come forward fighter who throws a lot of punches and doesn't let up, i don't see the need for a Gainer rematch though, Gainer might have dropped John early but it was a flash knockdown and John just came forward for the remainder of the bout. He has a relentless style and stopping Browne was impressive if only for the fact that Browne went the 12 with Chi.

It's a great chance for Cook and i am sure if he got in with John it would be a great fight however i expect him to keep his sights on the more robotic Harrison for now.

It would be great to see Cook get this fight. Of course he would want to win it, but even in losing would gain great experience. If he was able to hold his own with John in a losing effort it would actually boost his stock. Of course there's always the risk of getting overwhelmed and taking a savage battering....

I would say Gainer is favourite to get the slot due to the Gainer's manager, Kurt Ermhoff, having a good relationship with the fight promoter and Gainer relationship with Jones.

Another rumoured undercard fight is a good one. Vernon Forrest vs Travis Simms.

That is a good fight, Forrest looked impressive versus Rios last time out despite his arm troubles, Travis Simms is a smart, sharp Boxer as he showed when he outpointed Bronko McKart in a good showing, you could pick Forrest on experience but you cannot discount an unbeaten, confident Simms either.

I don't really rate Simms, I'd expect Forrest to beat him conclusively.

I think this opportunity may have come to early for Cook (if the fight comes off), IMO i'd like to see him take a couple more EBU defences then go for the big time, but if he has the opportunity to fight John i cannot fault him if he takes the fight.

Foggy wrote:I think this opportunity may have come to early for Cook (if the fight comes off), IMO i'd like to see him take a couple more EBU defences then go for the big time, but if he has the opportunity to fight John i cannot fault him if he takes the fight.

Bang on... It would be fantastic experience, but why take the risk, as long as he holds his EBU more of these oppertunities will arise. Patience my young cockney friend patience.

i just read the news,chris jhon is being offered 200k to fight at jones/tarver card

I just e-mailed Derrick to check his position/ I will let you know.

He just told me that it is in negotiations, but far from anything concrete.

VhsWes cheers for the information, i don't personally think a Gainer-John rematch will tell us anything we didn't already know. I would rather see him in with someone else.

I'd much rather see C. John Vs Cook....then a second boring match with Gainer -

I can't see how they would offer Chris John 200k to fight Gainer again - That seems like a ton of $$ for that level of a fight -

I'd definitely like to see C. John fight though - He does appear to be getting better -

As close as I am with Smoke. I honestly have to agree. John pretty much outboxed him the whole fight from 2-12 rounds.
I'de like to see Cook get a chance.
Just being honest.