Nicky Cook v Alex Arthur
Nicky Cook v Alex Arthur
The Scot, previously the interim champion, was defending the full title he was handed after Joan Guzman moved up to lightweight for the first time.
However, his reign was short-lived as he capitulated against the Dagenham fighter, who racked up an early lead and was never in danger of being caught.
The judges called it 117-112, 117-111, 115-114 in favour of Cook, a unanimous decision that could not meet any argument from the 30-year-old Scotsman, who must ponder where his career goes from here.
Cook told Sky Sports: “I’m absolutely ecstatic. This means so much to my family.
“We had a great gameplan: 12 rounds non-stop, walk away with belt. But not flying round the ring, keeping an arm’s distance – it worked and it worked a treat.
“We’ve worked extremely hard for 12 weeks and it’s all paid off.”
Several hundred Scots were inside the English venue and they made themselves heard as Arthur, who looked noticeably bigger than his opponent, entered the ring.
After the formalities ended, both fighters spent the first round finding their range and distance.
It was Cook’s aggression, if nothing else, that nicked him the second round, which was fought out in a surprisingly flat atmosphere with the champion looking off the pace.
The Dagenham man had clearly found his range quicker as he forced his way through Arthur’s guard with occasional ease, exemplified by the big right hand that shook the Scot in round four.
Arthur’s trainer Wayne McCullough looked concerned as his man struggled to control Cook, who was impressing with some eye-catching combinations and general aggression.
It was developing into a frustrating night for the Edinburgh man, although there was some encouragement when blood appeared on Cook’s nose in the sixth round, but that soon evaporated.
By that point, it appeared obvious Arthur was in danger of losing his cherished belt and Cook had him against the ropes with another right hand that shook the champion, who now looked like he needed to stop the Englishman to win the fight.
Round eight witnessed Cook landing with several right hands as Arthur reeled in exasperation.
There was no sign of the improvement needed by Arthur as the contest slipped into the latter stages, Cook still sharper and more accurate.
The Englishman hit the canvas in the ninth but it was a slip and he was helped to his feet by Arthur, who had suffered the same fate two rounds earlier.
Cook looked in control and landed some point-scoring punches in the 10th round and the Scot, still looking to get clear-cut and powerful punches on target with any sort of regularity, surveyed the prospect of losing his title in his first defence.
The 11th round saw Cook dance his way away from danger as Arthur desperately sought the knockout needed.
The Englishman knew he needed to just stay on his feet to win the title but he was keen enough to trade punches with Arthur in a couple of clinches.
Arthur, however, had run out of steam and both men embraced and exchanged kisses at the final bell with the Edinburgh man knowing he had kissed goodbye to his title and the prospect of a super-fight against ring superstar Marco Antonio Barrera in the near future.
Cook left the ring to generous and well-deserved applause and it may be him who can look forward to a meeting with the Mexican legend.
