Confident Cox targets world title after Albert European defence

“Get this win first and then Frank can concentrate on getting me a world title shot. He promised it. Frank is a man of his word and I know he will deliver.”

After viciously thwarting Martinez with a first-round knockout in the summer, Cox will now aim for a similarly dominant display at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night, against an opponent who has suffered seven defeats in his indifferent career.

“I’ve watched the kid on tape for a few rounds. He’s won ten back-to-back [but] now he’ll be going out on his back,” added Cox. “I need to demolish him to get to where I want to be.

I need to demolish him..”

“I always prepare to do all the [scheduled] rounds. I always spar between eight and 12. But when it ends early on fight night, I ain’t complaining. Earlier the better. You never want to be taking extra punches for fun at this level.”

The British bulldozer has left no stone unturned for his preparations, despite his 22-year-old opponent having tasted defeat on so many occasions, with a world title bout clearly in his mind-set on the eve of his European defence.

“I’ve sparred with James DeGale and I felt more than strong enough. From the age of 15 to 20, I was doing ground work on building sites six or seven days a week,” claimed Cox, with the Swindon slugger 11/2 for a points win in this 10-round match-up.

“Lately, I’ve been working with a good level British cruiserweight, six to eight rounds at a time and again, no problems. I’ve always had quick hands and my speed is more telling against these heavier guys. Likewise, the super-middles are a bit slower than the lighter fighters. You see the shots earlier.”

Putting on a show

This brutal body puncher fought just once between September 2011 and February 2015 because of brutal hand injuries, which his promoter Warren claimed were the worst he’d ever witnessed, but he is now hoping to cause widespread fear throughout his new division.

“I don’t want points. Boxing’s the entertainment business and fans come to see knockouts. I want them to witness something special after they’ve shelled out their hard earned money,” declared Cox, who is 18/1 to be stopped by Hungarian Albert on Irish soil.

“I work exceptionally hard in the gym to get the job done. The gym is where you do the studying to pass the exam on fight night. I eat right, sleep right, train right and all of that gives you confidence that you’ll perform right when it matters.

“I’m looking a world title fight early next year. When I get the job done this weekend it’ll take me to 20-0. I’ve been in the game long enough and now I’m now world ranked. I just need the opportunity. When it arrives, I won’t let it slip. We’ve worked way too hard to let this slip.”

Cox afraid of nobody

Already rated at number eight contender to Abraham in the WBO listings, Cox isn’t afraid to come head-to-head with any of the reigning global strap holders, and is more than happy to slug it out with whichever domestic rivals will help him progress.

“I’ll basically fight whoever I have to, to get a world title shot; the winner of [Paul] Smith and [Rocky] Fielding, Frank Buglioni, Paul Smith, [Martin] Murray, [George] Groves, DeGale, any of them,” vowed Cox ahead of his Saturday night showdown..

“I’d knock any 12 stone man in the UK spark out. I’m not cocky but over the last few years I’ve really got my head down. A world title is all that’s in our mindset.”

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Coral’s top tip: Jamie Cox stopped his previous opponent in the first round last July and is more than capable of doing so again @ 9/4