Jason Cook (boxer)

Jason Cook
Born	Jason Cook (1975-02-27) 27 February 1975 (age 49) Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	37
Wins	30
Wins by KO	11
Losses	6
Draws	1
No contests	0
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Wales Commonwealth Games 1994 Victoria Featherweight

Jason Cook (born 27 February 1975 in Maesteg, Wales) is a former professional boxer, who fought under the nickname "The Power". As an amateur, he won a silver medal for Wales at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. As a professional, he has fought as a lightweight, and has won both the European and IBO championships at the weight. He currently campaigns at Light-Welterweight, and fights out of Fight Academy Wales gym in Llanharan, South Wales under the guidance of professional coach Darren Wilson.

Amateur career

Cook had a total of 86 amateur contests, winning 66. He won a silver medal in the featherweight (57 kg) class at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.^[1]

He won the 1993 Amateur Boxing Association British featherweight title, when boxing out of the Maesteg BC.^[2]

Commonwealth Games results

• Defeated Francis Passingan (Papua New Guinea) points
• Defeated Daniel Attah (Nigeria) points
• Defeated Hassan Matumla (Tanzania) points
• Lost to Casey Patton (Canada) points

Professional career

Cook's professional boxing career began in October 1996, with a second-round stoppage of Brian Robb, followed by further KO victories over Andrew Reed and David Kirk before being taken the distance on two occasions by Marc Smith. However, Cook then suffered a setback with a first-round knockout defeat at the hands of Trevor Smith. After the bout, Cook said "He clipped me with an overhand left and though I got up at six or seven, I was in no state to continue; the referee did the right thing."^[3]

After a nine-month lay-off, Cook returned to the ring to defeat Darren Woodley via a fourth-round knockout. Victories over

Prison sentence

In 2001, Cook was found guilty of

Ten days later, on 2 August 2002, Cook produced an upset by defeating Casamonica via a third-round knockout. Cook had started well winning the opening two rounds but was floored in the 3rd. As Casamonica moved in to finish the fight, he was hit with a left hook that brought an end the fight.^[5] After the bout a jubilant Cook said "It’s like a dream; my life has changed, it still hasn’t sunk in. That was the best punch I’ve thrown in my life, and it came when I most needed it. I’m ecstatic; I’m walking around on a cloud."^[3]

Cook's first defence of the title was against Frenchman Nasser Lakrib on 26 October 2002. Lakrib was stopped in the 5th round, in a fight which was held in Cook's hometown of Maesteg.^[6] Cook's next defence of the title was against Stefano Zoff, who he went on to defeat via a split point's decision. Despite the victory, Cook lost his European title before the bout when he failed to make the 135 lb lightweight limit.^[7]

IBO title

On 8 November 2003, Cook fought Argentinian Ariel Olveira for the vacant IBO lightweight title. Cook defeated Olveira by a 7th-round stoppage, after the Argentine's cornerman threw in the towel.^[8] Cook's first defence of the title was against reigning commonwealth champion Kevin Bennett on 1 May 2004. Cook outboxed Bennett to claim a close but unanimous points decision.^[9]

On 5 November 2004, Cook was scheduled to face

The late replacement for Ndou was Argentinian Aldo Rios, who went on to stop Cook in the 3rd round. Cook had started the fight well but was floored in the 3rd by a straight right hand, and a follow-up attack from Rios forced referee Richard Davies to stop the contest. Following the bout Cook said "I took things a bit easy and got caught cold more than anything...This may have been a step too far, but I'll be back."^[12] Rios had previously lost to Ricky Hatton by knockout in a challenge for the WBU light welterweight title.

Retirement

On 25 November 2005, over a year after his last fight, Cook returned to the ring to face Gary Reid. Cook won the bout via disqualification after he was hit with a low blow and could not continue.^[13] In September, 2006, after pulling out of a fight with Giuseppe Lauri for the vacant European light welterweight title, Cook announced his retirement from boxing.^[14]

On his decision Cook said "It's time for me to go now. I've had so much trouble with the shoulder over the years and

Jason Cook challenged Lenny Dawes for the British Light-Welterweight Title on 12 February 2010 at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London. From the opening bell, Cook looked comfortable and slick and dominated the early rounds. Cook had Dawes visibly hurt in the 1st round, forcing Dawes to hold on to the Maesteg boxer to spare further punishment. After building up an early lead on the judges' scorecards and cutting Dawes, Cook began to tire and Dawes came back into the fight, having Cook in trouble in the 11th and 12th rounds. One judge awarded it 115–114 to Cook; one awarded it 115–114 to Dawes, with the other scoring it 114-114. The bout was declared a draw and Dawes regained his title. The gutsy performance by Cook moved him up the European and Commonwealth Light-Welterweight rankings[15]

Notable bouts

Result	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Aldo Rios	TKO	3 (12), 1.40	5 November 2004	Hereford, England	Lost IBO Lightweight title.
Win	Kevin Bennett	Decision (unanimous)	12	1 May 2004	Bridgend, Wales	Defended IBO Lightweight title.
Win	Ariel Olveira	TKO	7 (12)	8 November 2003	Bridgend, Wales	Won vacant IBO Lightweight title.
Win	Stefano Zoff	Decision (split)	12	25 January 2003	Bridgend, Wales	Lost European Lightweight title on scales.
Win	Nasser Lakrib	TKO	5 (12)	26 October 2002	Maesteg, Wales	Defended European Lightweight title.
Win	Sandro Casamonica	KO	3 (12)	2 August 2002	Calabria, Italy	Won European Lightweight title.

References

External links

• Boxing record for Jason Cook from BoxRec (registration required)
• Jason Cook at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)