By Ben Carey
Alex Arthur will defend his WBO super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena on September 6, it was announced yesterday. Arthur-Cook represents an intriguing all-British clash between two fighters who still have to convince that they belong in world class company.
Arthur’s proposed marquee showdown against the supremely talented Juan Guzman in May was shelved after Guzman elected to move up to lightweight. The Scot was subsequently upgraded from interim championship status to official champion by the WBO. Arthur, 26-1 (19), hasn’t fought since narrowly outpointing Stephen Foster Jr last December when he had to climb off the floor after being heavily dropped by a right hand from Foster in the eleventh round.
The Arthur showdown will represent Nicky Cook’s second attempt to capture a world title. Last summer, Cook’s bid to win the vacant WBO crown against Steve Luevano at featherweight ended in heartache when he was floored five times before being eventually counted out in round 11. On that evening, Cook looked particularly susceptible to body shots and afterwards decided to campaign in the (four pounds higher) super-featherweight division.
Cook has since returned with a second round stoppage of Kirkor Kirkorov in February. Nicky is trained by his father, Paul Cook, who also incidentally trains Kevin Mitchell, the WBO’s no.2 ranked contender, who is being groomed to challenge Arthur in 2009.
The Manchester bill will also feature Amir Khan defending his Commonwealth lightweight title against an opponent to be named shortly.
