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Jason Cook
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Jason Cook is aiming to put the disappointment at the cancellation of his potentially explosive clash with Phillip Ndoh firmly to one side by establishing himself as a world class fighter when he defends his IBO lightweight title for the second time against substitute Aldo Rios tonight at the Hereford Leisure Centre.
Cook’s previously scheduled skirmish with knockout artist Ndoh was unfortunately curtailed following the South African’s unexpected retirement after a scan revealed a problem with his brain. Neutrals were keen to see if Cook could hold his own in the upper echelons of the lightweight division against the big-hitting Ndoh who managed to extend pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather Jnr seven rounds in an unsuccessful challenge for the “Pretty Boy’s” WBC title a year ago.
“Obviously I was very disappointed when I heard the news, but after reading about his problems on the internet I felt really sorry for him,” Cook told British Doghouse. “It would have been a great fight, I was thinking it could have been the British version of Hagler-Hearns. I might have had to pick myself off the canvas in that one but I’d have definitely come back and eventually prevailed.”
However, in Argentinean replacement Rios, the Maesteg mauler is facing a man who has only ever been defeated by top-class foes in a 42-fight record. In 1999, Rios dropped a unanimous decision to WBC lightweight champion Stevie Johnston and equalled this effort two years later after being outpointed by Artur Grigorian for the WBO title. Last September, boxing outside his natural weight class, Rios was eventually overwhelmed in nine rounds by our own Ricky Hatton in an audacious bid for the latter’s WBU light-welterweight bauble.
“I’m quite excited about my fight with Rios. He’s a world rated lightweight whose only lost to the best. I initially got tapes of him against Stevie Johnston and Artur Grigorian but they’re both southpaws so I had to request to see some of his other fights including when he fought Hatton.”
Victory for Cook would cement his world rating (currently at 10) with the World Boxing Council and inch the 29-year-old towards the big fight he desperately craves in 2005. A former world-rated amateur, Cook claimed eight Welsh titles (four at senior level), the 1993 British ABA featherweight crown, a 1994 Commonwealth Games silver medal in addition to securing back-to-back golds at the prestigious Acropolis Cup meet in Athens in 1993 and 1994. Understandably, the Welshman is itching to reproduce his glittering amateur form in the pro ranks.
“I just want to prove myself in world class because I know I can box and fight. I’ve got a beautiful jab but I don’t always use it,” said Cook. “Though I’m happy to be the IBO champion, I don’t really regard myself as a true world champion even though in theory I can walk around calling myself one. I love to watch Joel Casamayor and see that he is down to challenge Castillo for the WBC title in December and I’d love to fight the winner. Barry Hearn enjoys a good relationship with the WBC so maybe he can land me a really big fight in the future,” he added.
Firstly, the former European champion must better Aldo Rios, and will need to improve on his uncharacteristically lacklustre showing against Hartlepool’s Kevin Bennett in the first defence of his IBO crown in May. Forced to take a count in round three, an out-of-sorts Cook eventually rallied to clinch a narrow unanimous decision, with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 reflecting a tight affair.
“I know it wasn’t my best performance but it certainly wasn’t a legit knockdown in the third. I gave Kevin too much respect in there. I’ve known him a long time and we boxed against each other as schoolboys in the amateurs. Coming in at around 9st 7lbs was probably too light for me in hindsight (perhaps Cook was mindful of making the 9st 9lbs lightweight championship limit after previously surrendering his European title to Stefano Zoff on the scales in January 2003). But I still won in the end.”
Having diligently prepared for the toughest assignment of his career the high-octane Cook can return to form by taking a deserved points win here.
Chief support sees home-town hero Darren “Dazzo” Williams defend his British featherweight title against Scotland’s unheralded John Simpson. The 21 year-old challenger, 12-1 (2), has boxed the same number of fights as Williams but is yet to venture beyond eight-rounds or mix in championship class. Victory for Dazzo would see him secure the coveted Lonsdale belt outright and book him an intriguing European title tilt against Dagenham’s Nicky Cook.
After narrowly outscoring Roy Rutherford to claim the title in Belfast 12 months ago, Williams has gone on to dominate former champion Jamie McKeever and old nemesis Rutherford in a rousing rematch in June. Seemingly improving with every fight, the 30-year-old Williams is in his prime having won six fights on the spin since suffering surprising back-to-back losses to John Mackay (l pts6) and Carl Allen (l tko 2) in 2002.
Apart from youth, it’s difficult to see what Simpson has going for him in this one. The Scot will have been heartened after clinching an eight-round points win over fellow contender Marc Callaghan last time out, but could only scrape past journeyman Jus Wallie by a slender 58-57 margin in April. Expect another conclusive performance by Williams on his own stomping ground.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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Interview by Ben Carey (November 5, 2004) 
