Frank Warren leads tributes as iconic boxing trainer James Cook dies just months after tragic cancer diagnosis aged 66
FRANK WARREN has led the tributes to boxing trainer and former champion James Cook - who has passed away at 66.
Cook - who won the British and European super-middleweight titles during his career - was diagnosed with bladder cancer this year.
Advertisement
3
Ex-boxing champion James Cook has passed away aged 66
Credit: Rex Features
3
MBE Cook passed away after a short cancer battle
Credit: Rex Features
And after a short battle, he has sadly passed away as boxing mourned the respected coach and former fighter.
Promoter Warren posted: "Incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of James Cook MBE.
"A true gentleman of our sport who achieved incredible things inside and outside of the ring.
"The work he has done for youths in East London will live on forever and he will be hugely missed.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN boxing
"Our condolences to his family and loved ones for their sad loss RIP."
Eddie Hearn added: "Rest in peace a wonderful man and one of the most selfless you could ever find."
Cook turned professional in 1982 after a successful amateur career and fought British greats in Michael Watson and Herol Graham.
He won the British and European titles in the space of a year and retired after losing to Cornelius Carr in 1994.
Advertisement
Most read in Boxing
Exclusive
Exclusive
Cook later became a coach and
At Buckingham Palace he
In later years, Cook joined Anthony Yarde's camp before the light-heavyweight's
3
Anthony Yarde with trainer Cook
Credit: queensberry promotions
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped EIGHT SECONDS into fight
CALLUM SIMPSON called on inspiration from his late sister Lily Rae to come from behind and stop Ivan Zucco to win the European title. Simpson suffered the devastating news that his 19-year-old sister had tragically died last year in a quad bike accident on holiday in Greece. 5 Callum Simpson beat Ivan Zucco Credit: Getty 5 He scored three late knockdowns Credit: Getty But the Barnsley boxing hero - who headlined at the Oakwell Football Ground - continues to fight in Lily Rae's honour. And she would have watched on with pride as her big brother came back to stop Zucco in round ten after three knockdowns. Simpson, crowned the European super-middleweight champion, said: "Not once did I give up, those last few rounds I'll be honest I started thinking about my little sister Lily. "I'll be honest, I just thought I had to push for her and for everybody. "This time last year, Lily was sat up here cheering me on and she was there with me tonight when it got tough, when it got hard. "From round eight, I thought, 'I've got to dig deep, I've got to keep pushing, I've gotta do it for her. She was with me tonight." Simpson filled Barnsley's 23,000-seater - but he got off to a horror start after being floored by only the second punch Zucco threw. Simpson made it to his feet with little trouble but opted to try and make Zucco pay - and buzzed the travelling Italian himself before the bell sounded. Most read in Sport The opener was a frenzy of wild shots with both men hurt and the following two rounds was much of the same. And again Simpson was down in round three after a huge left hand as the chaos continued. 'We never know' - Tyson Fury refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new 'amazing' fight deal The former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight had to pick himself up and dust himself off to turn the fight around. And that is exactly what he did with constant pressure in the second half of the fight turning the tide. By round ten, Simpson was on the front foot and trapped Zucco in the corner - letting off a devastating triple uppercut. It dropped Zucco - who got to his feet - but again he was pinned in the corner and floored with two of the same shots. The underdog European once again made it to his feet but Simpson, smelling blood, jumped on Zucco and forced him to the floor with a barrage of shots. This time there was no coming back for Zucco - as Simpson turned the fight on its head with a comeback victory for the ages. 5 Smith was down twice himself Credit: Getty 5 He came back and credited the win to his late sister Credit: PA 5 Simpson's sister Lily Rae passed away in 2024 Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Crystal Palace set to learn Europa League fate this week as co-owner looks to buy out John Textor
JOSH HARRIS wants to buy out John Textor in the latest tug of war at Crystal Palace. Advertisement 3 JOSH HARRIS wants to buy out John Textor in the latest tug of war at Crystal Palace Credit: Rex 3 Textor now willing to sell up to avoid Palace being booted out of the Europa League Credit: AFP 3 Palace qualified for the Europa League after beating Man City in the FA Cup final But that has failed so far — with Textor now willing to sell up to avoid Palace being booted out of the Europa League due to The European governing body's regulations mean Textor, majority owner of Lyon , cannot have influence at two clubs in the same competition. But a sale is unlikely to be quick and will not impact the decision of Uefa chiefs. And Harris is looking to pay a smaller sum than his US compatriot wants. Advertisement READ MORE CRYSTAL PALACE NEWS Textor, whose Palace club won entry to the Europa League through winning the FA Cup, does not have a majority stake and only 25 per cent of voting rights. Palace hope that relatively low figure will help their case with Uefa, who are expected to deliver a verdict next week. Lyon are also set to feature in the competition having finished higher than Palace domestically, with a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season. Uefa rules prohibit anyone from "simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition." Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The prospect of Palace dropping into the Conference League is also nigh-on impossible too. This is because other shareholder David Blizter also has a stake in Danish oufit Brondby, who are set to play in European football's tertiary club competition next season. Abandoned iconic UK stadium left to rot 110 years after hosting FA Cup final getting new lease of life In a desperate bid to see the Eagles fly across Europe next season and comply with Uefa rules, Textor and Blizter offered to put their shares in a blind trust. Advertisement But Uefa chiefs have REJECTED the offer, leaving Palace's proposed European adventure next season in limbo. Manchester City and utilised blind trusts last season as sister clubs Girona and Nice both qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Boxer Sam Gilley walks to the ring with an UMBRELLA as rain pours down at Fabio Wardley's Portman Road fight
BOXER Sam Gilley had to walk to the ring with an UMBRELLA as rain poured down in Ipswich. Heavyweight star Fabio Wardley - an Ipswich super-fan - headlines at his beloved Portman Road against Aussie Justis Huni. 3 Sam Gilley had to walk to the ring with an umbrella as rain poured down in Ipswich Credit: X When Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren booked the 30,000-seater - he would have expected summer sunshine. But even the veteran matchmaker, who has seen it all in the sport, would have been surprised to see grey clouds in Suffolk. And things soon got worse as the heavens opened up. The ring itself is thankfully covered but the walk to the ropes were not - so Gilley was taking no risks. READ MORE IN boxing He covered his boots with plastic bags and had security cover him with a brolly on his way to fight Gideon Onyenani. Gilley was due to face Louis Greene - but the Commonwealth champion pulled out amid a contract dispute. They previously fought in a 2023 classic - with Gilley winning on points. 3 LIVE - FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM FABIO WARDLEY VS JUSTIS HUNI AS IT HAPPENS AT PORTMAN ROAD Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS And after their rematch - scheduled for the vacant British super-welterweight title - collapsed Onyenani stepped in on late notice. And unfortunately for Gilley - despite covering up with the umbrella - he slipped up by drawing with Onyenani. Referee Kieran McCann scored the bout 76-76. 3 Gideon Onyenani and Sam Gilley fought to a draw Credit: Getty
