Two East End boxers hoping to turn careers around on Saturday

Two boxers from London’s East End will be boxing on a Frank Warren promotion at the Liverpool Echo Arena this Saturday evening, both hoping to turn their careers around.

Stepney-born Nicky Cook gets the chance to regain the WBO World super-featherweight title he lost to Roman Martinez in Manchester in March 2009 when he takes on the new title-holder, Scotland’s Ricky Burns.

Cook is trained by his father Paul, who was once a lightweight himself and boxed for Bethnal Green.

Another east London boxer in the shape of Kevin Mitchell will also be on the bill.

Mitchell should have been boxing last Saturday at the ExCeL Arena in London’s Docklands, but he pulled out of the fight with a viral infection.

So Mitchell will now fight John Murray in Liverpool on the undercard on what was billed as a North v South encounter.

Murray, who will now have the home advantage, is unbeaten in 31 contests, which is the longest current winning run by any British boxer.

The Manchester boxer also holds both the British and the European lightweight titles.

The fight will be Mitchell’s first bout since losing to Australian Michael Katsidis at West Ham United’s football ground, Upton Park, last May.

That loss was Mitchell’s only professional defeat and the east London boxer is determined not to let it happen again.

“I know I let my promoter Frank Warren down and all my fans,” he said.

“But I intend to show everyone what I am capable of.”

Despite the contest now being seen as an away fight, Mitchell believes the location won’t affect him.

“I’ve been everywhere, I’ve been to Italy, Russia, I’ve been to America,” he said.

“I’ve been all over the world boxing so Liverpool’s not going to be a problem for me.

“I know it’s an away fight now but I’ve got a lot of good friends up there and know that when I step out on the stage there’ll be plenty of people there supporting me.

“I’m also gutted for the fans that I’m not fighting in London now. They’re a great crowd and I’m sure some will come up to Liverpool.”

Mitchell also feels confident that he has what it takes to put in a strong performance.

“I’m just going to box for the whole fight,” he said.

“You’ll see a world-class performance from me.”

Also on the bill is a fight for the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight title in what is a rematch between Liverpool’s Tony Bellow and Ovill McKenzie from Derby, whose career started in east London.