Wednesday 21 March 2018 16:03, UK
Jamie Cox says he is taking the positives from his first professional loss ahead of his return to the ring on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old suffered a knockout defeat to WBA 'super' super-middleweight champion George Groves in the World Super Series quarter-final in October, but feels the contest proved he is capable of competing at world level.
Cox takes on Remigiusz Woz over six rounds, live on Sky Sports Facebook and YouTube, at The O2, on the undercard of Dillian Whyte's WBC Silver heavyweight title defence against Lucas Browne, at the O2 Arena, live on Sky Sports.
"The Groves fight showed I was able to compete at that level of boxing, we were winning every round and I was in the competition," Cox told The Swindon Advertiser.
"A bit of patience is what I need. It's not the physical attributes, the fitness and all of that. With that sort of stuff, I think I am on par with anyone in the world.
"It was hard to take but you can't dwell on it. I don't want to dwell on it, I want to use it to progress and get better."
If he comes through unscathed this weekend, the southpaw is due to face John Ryder on the Tony Bellew vs David Haye undercard, on May 5, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Ryder recorded an impressive stoppage victory over Patrick Nielsen last time out, but Cox admits he will be better prepared from a tactical and mental perspective in fights going forward.
"You think you're a gorilla," he said.
"It's always in my mind. In all my fights before Groves I had never been hurt, I'd never been down and never been aware of getting caught.
"Now I'm a bit more aware, I'll take my time and when I see an opportunity, maybe I'll wait a couple of rounds before taking it."
Watch Dillian Whyte against Lucas Browne at The O2 on March 24, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
