Thursday 3 May 2018 14:36, UK
Jamie Cox says John Ryder "is just another man in the way" of him fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion.
The pair meet in an intriguing super-middleweight battle this Saturday night on the Tony Bellew vs David Haye undercard at The 02, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and the 31-year-old southpaw is keen to make a statement and fight at world level again, having fallen short against George Groves for the WBA 'super' 168lbs title last October.
My mind is fully focused on and John Ryder is just another man in the way.
"[The defeat] made me hungrier. I came into this game to win a world title and be a world champion," Cox said to the Swindon Advertiser.
"That is what my mind is fully focused on and John Ryder is just another man in the way. Every fight is important. This is one that I really want to show people how good I am and how I can come back from a loss.
"The plan is to stick behind my boxing. We have been working on a few openings that John has and that's it really, just countering what he does.
"I'm looking forward to it. For me, The O2 is my favourite place for boxing as a spectator. I enjoy it there and I'm looking forward to putting on a treat for the fans."
Ryder last boxed seven months ago when he stopped Patrick Nielsen inside five rounds.
'The Gorilla' has suffered high-profile defeats to Billy Joe Saunders, Nick Blackwell, Jack Arnfield and Rocky Fielding in 29-fight career, but Cox is not overlooking the challenge in front of him, and reaffirmed his belief that he is fighting at the correct weight, following his first professional defeat to Groves.
"My weight won't be much different from when I fought Groves," he said.
"If you look at a picture of me from then to now you'll see that. I work very hard, I eat healthily and live the life, so if I could make 11-stone-six then I would.
"I just want to make the weight healthy. I'll do everything how I normally do and just make sure I've got the right food in me and the fluids so I am ready to go."
