The 31 year old southpaw from Swindon bids to take the WBA Super world super-middleweight title off George Groves at SSE Arena on Saturday night – and set up a semi-final against Chris Eubank Jr. in the World Boxing Super Series.
The tournament has handed Cox the chance to become a millionaire – but last year, he feared his career was over after he was handed a six-month sentence for assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
The conviction was quashed – after Cox spent four weeks in prison on remand.
“It was a big shock to find myself in jail,” he said. “I never, ever thought I would end up in jail. I’m not out and about doing things that get you in trouble.
“It was a hard four weeks, being in prison when I knew I shouldn’t have been in there.
“There was no assault. It just didn’t happen. Were there any marks on her? No. I didn’t touch her, that’s why.
“I had some of my stuff in her flat, she wouldn’t open the door and was sending me texts saying she was going to commit suicide.
“I bust the door open, picked up my stuff, saw that she was OK and left – and ended up in jail for it.
“I didn’t expect to end up in jail for busting a door and picking up my stuff.
“She knew what she was doing. I didn’t want to be with her, she wanted to be with me and when things didn’t go her way, she got nasty.
“It was all premeditated. She rang the police before I even got to her flat.”
Following his release, Cox rebuilt his career – and now meets Groves in a fight he’s been working towards since he was a boy.
“My dad wanted me to play football or golf,” remembered Cox, “but I was no good at either – and I couldn’t sing.
“There was always music on in my house – but I was no Tom Jones.
“The fight that got me into boxing was the Frank Bruno-Mike Tyson rematch (in 1996). I just remember the way everyone got behind Frank and when he lost, it put a stone in my heart. The fight made me want to box and when I got to the gym, I was addicted.”
Cox has known Groves since they were England amateur team-mates together and said: “I know George is a great fighter and I know I need to bring my ‘A’ game, but I’m ready.”
