I've just picked up on this sad news. James Cook, a very talented middleweight/super-middleweight who won the British and European 168lb championship died today. The first man to defeat Michael Watson as a professional (and they remained friends ever since) I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to James a few times and he was a lovely bloke. He did so much to help kids,teaching them boxing and steering them onto the right path. My heart goes out to James' family and friends.
Sad news. Cook showed some real mental fortitude to comeback from some bad defeats to travel abroad to take the British and European Super-middleweight titles with some cracking kos. Brilliant right uppercut. Never got the credit he deserved. RIP Champ
Wow, sad news. This guy did some great work with disadvantaged young people, got an MBE for it. Genuinely saddened to hear this. Solid fighter!!
I knew his name but not much about him other than that he had a few good wins and some losses against top-tier guys, but reading up on him a bit today he sounds like a true real-life hero who dedicated himself to giving youth in a rough area purpose and opportunity to better themselves. I didn’t know you, James, but our world will miss you. I wish we could clone you and create thousands like you to live life in service of others. RIP, champ.
