There is an interesting battle tonight in front of the Sky tv cameras when British
light welterweight champion Lenny Daws 20-1-1 (8) puts his title on the line against
former European lightweight champion and power punching veteran Jason Cook 26-3 (13).
Daws looked like a domestic star back in 2006 when he stopped World class Colin Lynes in 9 rounds before beating Nigel Wright on points to claim the British title. However in 2007, Daws was surprised in his first defence when dropping a split decision to Barry Morrison. After a draw two fights later in a rematch with Nigel Wright for the English title, it looked like Daws was going nowhere. However he worked hard to get back in contention and in his last fight in September knocked out former nemesis Morrison in 10 rounds to win back his British title.
Cook is an interesting character. He hits far harder than his 50% knockout ratio indicates. After a slow learning process including a 15 month prison stretch he came in as a late substitute in 2002 against the Italian Sandro Casamonica in Italy for the European lightweight title. Casamonica did as he pleased but after knocking down Cook in the third, Cook knocked out Casamonica with one punch as Casamonica came in for the finish.
Cook made two defences of his European title (lost on the scales), won the IBO title but in 2004 was stopped in 3 rounds by Aldo Rios.
After one win in 2005, Cook retired claiming shoulder and ankle injuries. However after four year out Cook returned with a vicious knockout of Scott Jordan and won an entry into the prizefighter tournament. After beating then unbeaten Michael Grant in the first round, Cook was outboxed by former world champ Gavin Rees in the semi.
This should be a good fight. Daws is very busy but not that hard to hit, while Cook has never been a very good boxer but has power and heart to burn.
Daws isn’t a big hitter but Cook has been hurt many times before and Daws probably can stop him. Daws has always shown a good chin but it could be a different matter if Cook catches him cleanly, especially with his vaunted left hook.
So who wins it ? Well I would love to see Cook have one more run at a decent level as he is very exciting to watch. He has a chance with that power but if Daws can keep working him hard, he should be able to stop a tiring Cook somewhere between the middle and end rounds.
Two prospects meet on the undercard for the English light welterweight title. Michael Grant 12-1-1 (1) is a slick fighter who lost his unbeaten record to Cook in the prizefighter tournament.
His opponent tomorrow will be the unbeaten Steve Williams 8-0 (3). Grant has took on a better level of opposition but it will be interesting if he can keep up his elusive style for the 10 round distance. As neither hit particularly hard a points win is on the cards.
Polish prospect Grzegorz Proksa 19-0 (12) is on also on the undercard and should claim the vacant European (EU version ) middleweight title as it looks like his opponent Tyan Booth 11-5-1 (2) is overmatched.
By JIMMY LAST (EDITOR)
