Glenn McCrory's Boxing Blog - Sky Sports Expert

Cook could Nick it

Challenger could take Arthur's title in a classic

Posted: 04th September 2008 12:57

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This is a great fight, one I think the whole sport is looking forward to.

It's not that often we get to see a British fighter in a world-title fight, never mind two. The last one's I can remember were when Joe Calzaghe fought Robin Reid and then Richie Woodhall - and they were eight years ago.

Whatsmore, there are plenty of similarities between Alex Arthur and Nicky Cook.

Both are really good fighters, with good records, both have only lost once and both can punch to the body well. And both had great reputations and big things expected of them.

So far only Arthur has really lived up to that by becoming a world champion, although he did alright with Joan Guzman not showing up didn't he? For any boxer, winning a world title without having to fight will not be satisfying, that will not fulfil him.

Arthur will not call himself a world champion, or really feel like a world champion until he's beaten the top dogs, put his belt on the line and won.

And I do think Cook can be considered a top dog. I know he failed in his previous world-title attempt against Steve Luevano but although he was beaten, he did give him a good old scrap.

Also that was down at featherweight, where Cook always seemed to struggle to make the weight.

I just think super-feather will suit him better. He's not that tall, but he is nice and stylish as a fighter. He throws some nice combinations and like I said at the start, is a decent body puncher. He might even have a little more power up at this weight.

My one concern for Cook is that he has only had one fight in the 13 months since that Luevano defeat. That's a little bit too inactive for my liking.

But, he has got a great chance here. I know the bookies have got Arthur as the favourite and while I wouldn't disagree, I wouldn't be that surprised if Cook nicks this. The fact that is a domestic fight suits him way better.

Last time out, Arthur was given a really hard time by Stephen Foster Jr and struggled to cling on at times. Also, we all remember that Michael Gomez defeat and Cook will know that if he can draw Arthur into a scrap, he has a chance of upsetting him.

But Arthur must've learned from that and basically he is the bigger man, so you've got to side with him on that reason alone. Even if it is not that much of an advantage.

These guys will both want to come forward, both are much better fighting on the front foot and that is why I am expecting an absolute belter of a fight. There isn't much to choose between them, although it will be interesting to see what difference being a world champion will make to Arthur, even if he didn't have to throw a punch in the process.

And he will want to prove a point because of that. Victory over Cook would do his reputation the power of good. Again, he is a sharp puncher, puts together good combination and he also possesses a wicked body punch.

This does have all the ingredients to be a special night for British boxing and it is hard to predict a winner. I have an inkling for Cook for some reason, but wouldn't necessarily put money on it. What I would bank on is the man that wins this is the one that hasthe bigger heart, the one who wants it more.

It's nicely poised, it really is. It could go either way, although I am going to go for the upset and say Cook gets it. But Arthur could just as easily make his size tell and keep hold of that belt. And then he will finally feel like a world champion.

Jim Watt's view

These are both genuine world-class fighters- and both have had problems with the weight. Cook blamed his defeat by Steve Luevano on struggling to make 126lbs, but how many times have we heard that when boxer's have been beaten? As for Arthur, he admits that he is a "massive" super-featherweight and I do genuinely worry about him making the limit; I had expected him to have moved up to lightweight a long while ago. It might be this weight will suit Cook, but if Arthur does get it right, he will be much bigger, much stronger and that should be what decides it. He won't feel like a world champion until he's won a world title fight, so it is a massive night for the Scot. He won it off the postman and will not want to join that exclusive list of world champions who never won a world title fight! That should be motivation enough to but he does have flaws in his defence and Cook is a lovely little boxer. He can mix it up, he can stand and fight at long-range and Arthur will have to be at his best to win. Providing he has got the weight right, I think Alex will take this on points.

Johnny Nelson's view

For me this could be the best fight of the night. It has the potential to be a real humdinger. While the other two bouts have one clear favourite, this one is a little tighter to call for the fact that you just never know with Alex Arthur. Nicky Cook will be a handful and I think Arthur has been through one too many wars than you'd care to mention at this stage of his career. He just loves a tear up and while that is great for the crowd and great for us watching on television, it's not doing anything to help him prolong his boxing career. Such a strategy is not going to give him longeivity in the fight game and eventually he'll come up against somone who has sharp boxing skills - who will make him pay. This weekend I expect him to be on canvas, but I expect Cook to also suffer a knockdown. It does promise to be a cracking fight, full of excitement and one I can't wait to watch. But eventually I do think Arthur will be the man to come out on top via a stoppage to keep hold of his title.
Read Johnny Nelson on Audley Harrison-George Arias

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