McGuigan warns Arthur to beware early onslaught from Cook

Published on Saturday 30 August 2008 11:55

BARRY McGUIGAN has warned Alex Arthur to beware challenger Nicky Cook when he puts his WBO super-featherweight title on the line next weekend.

Ahead of the clash at Macnhester's MEN Arena, McGuigan, a TV pundit and former WBA featherweight champ, said the early pert of the fight will be crucial.

He said: "On paper Alex Arthur should be too big and strong for Cook as he is a huge super-featherweight at five feet nine and a half inches.

"He has huge height and reach advantages over Cook, who is only five feet six inches tall.

"But my main worry is that Arthur shouldn't take his foot of the pedal as he did against Steve Foster in Edinburgh in December 2006 when Foster decked him.

"Arthur has to concentrate 100 per cent this time around – especially in the early rounds of the fight, when Cook will be fresh and strong," added McGuigan, who mentored Arthur in the early days of his ring career.

"However, I can foresee a scenario where Arthur stops Cook around the tenth round – provided he has landed with enough of his fierce trademark body shots and also capitalised on his height advantage with constant uppercut. Failing that, I think the bout could go the full twelve-round distance with Arthur winning on points.

"But it won't be an easy fight – Cook was twice frustrated at featherweight level in world title bouts-by Scott Harrison failing to defend then by American, Steve Louviano stopping him so Cook knows this is probably his last big chance to become a world champion.

"He will be giving it his very best shot – which is exactly why Arthur mustn't lose concentation or take his foot off the pedal

"Arthur showed a real champion's heart and guts in getting up off the deck after Steve Foster dropped him and, if he boxes and punches to the very best of his abilities against Cook, that knockdown scenario won't happen this time around and he will win and retain his title after a hard battle early on."