“I have not seen anyone with his power since Frank Bruno, he is such a hard puncher.”

JAMES COOK still believes Larry ‘the war machine’ Olubamiwo has a future in the ring despite Saturday’s defeat to John McDermott.

The Clapton fighter was knocked out inside two minutes at York Hall to lose his Southern Area heavyweight title, but experienced Cook has faith the 32-year-old former Repton amateur will recover.

“He definitely has a future. I have not seen anyone with his power since Frank Bruno, he is such a hard puncher,” Cook said.

“Of course it is a big setback and Larry will take time out. I told him to do what he needs to do, but there has been no talk of retirement.

“He has not been fighting young and still a bit raw, but he does not have to make big changes.”

A left jab from McDermott shook Olubamiwo, who responded by throwing a right hand over the top, but with his guard down, his Horndon opponent threw a left then right hook which dropped him to the canvas.

The Hackney struggled to get back to his feet and took a nine count. McDermott charged across the ring and backed Olubamiwo onto the ropes, catching him with two right hooks, dropping the war machine to the canvas for a second time and although he got back to his feet, referee Jeff Hinds called a halt to the contest.

Cook refused to criticise Olubamiwo for his gung ho attitude when he stepped inside the ring and the former British champion believes the outcome could have been far different if his man landed first.

“The plan was to go out and attack. I was surprised by McDermott’s power, his left hook really shook Larry, but if Larry landed his punch I believe the fight would have ended differently,” Cook said.

“It’s the first time Larry has been hit that hide and it must have shocked him. Your first reaction when hit that hard for the first time and go down, pride takes over and you try to fight fire with fire which Larry did, when instead you should try and slow your opponent down and hold him.

“We thought McDermott would come out quickly. He knows Larry is a big puncher and when you fight someone who is so strong your instinct is to try to hit him hard so he doesn’t hit you hard.”