Cook's got the taste for a title

Nicky Cook believes his long wait to become a world champion is nearly over, with weight likely to be the deciding issue when he challenges Alex Arthur in Manchester tomorrow.

Cook's only defeat in 29 fights came 14 months ago when he was battered to a halt in the 11th round against WBO featherweight title-holder Steve Luevano.

But the 28-year-old Londoner admitted he was weakened by trying to make the 9st limit, and he is adamant he will be more comfortable and stronger going for Arthur's WBO super-featherweight crown.

He said: "Super-feather is the weight I should have been at for my first world title fight, it makes so much difference.

"Before, making nine stone was absolutely killing me and the weight was definitely the issue against Luevano. At world level you have to have the whole package - strength, stamina, sharpness - and obviously I fell short in the strength department.

"Arthur must realise that against Luevano I was being put down by body shots because I was too weak at the weight."

Arthur, 30, has lost only one of his 27 bouts, but struggled beat Steve Foster last time out.

Also on the Manchester bill, Amir Khan will seek to extend his unbeaten record to 18 fights against Breidis Prescott.

But he could have trouble with a Colombian lightweight who has won all his 19 bouts, 17 of them inside the distance.