UNBEATEN super-middleweight Jamie Cox believes WBA champion George Groves will look ‘silly’ after picking him for his first fight in the World Boxing Super Series.
Groves was the top seed for the draft on Saturday and selected countryman Cox over the likes of Erik Skoglund, Avni Yildrim and Rob Brant.
The tournament is a step-up in terms of scale and class of opposition for Cox, who turned down a shot at British champion Rocky Fielding to be involved.
“I don’t know [if there’s pressure on Groves]. He will be looking silly by the end of the contest,” the Swindon man said.
“Do you think he believes that [I’m the weakest]? I don’t. Maybe he wants a good fight, a tough fight and picked a dangerous fighter first. I will come out victorious.
“I was hoping for anyone but I wanted a UK fight. George is obviously one of them. I’m excited by the whole thing.”
Groves said one of the reasons he selected Cox in the quarter-final was because they are “old buddies,” referring to the time they spent as roommates while boxing for England as amateurs.
Though he does not remember much of their time as roommates, Cox insists it will have no bearing when they meet in September.
“Not really – I had a little dog collar for him [laughs],” he joked.
“We did spend a lot of time together for England. We were room-mates at one stage. That was then, this is business. I was lighter then [Cox was a light-welterweight] but now we are the same weight.
“We are from the same set up. This is my time now. This is my time.”
Cox signed with Matchroom Boxing earlier this year, having fought twice since then with wins over Lewis Taylor and Ivan Jukic. He intends to use the Series as an opportunity to prove his calibre.
“Eddie Hearn and Matchroom took me on. My part of the deal is now to go on and turn that into a win in this,” he said.
“I haven’t come here to participate. I’ve come here to win the tournament.
“There was the Fielding fight but Eddie brought this to me. We sat down and discussed it and went for it. I want to be the best so I can show it here.”
