James Cook MBE

I was deeply saddened to learn last night of the death from cancer of former Middleweight and Supermiddleweight Champion, James Cook MBE, a fine Champion and more importantly, a fine human being.

Starting in 1982 he won all the domestic titles possible except the Commonwealth Title, firstly the Southern Area Middleweight Title in 1984. the British Supermiddleweight Title in 1990 away from home against local Belfast man, Sam Storey, then the European Supermiddle Title, again away from home in Germany, against Pierre Frank Winterstein in 1991.

He had 35 contests winning 25 and losing 10, so he could be beaten but it took the likes of Michael Watson upon whom he had previously inflicted his first defeat as a pro, Herol Graham and others of that ilk to do that.

For the Winterstein fight in Germany, manager Harry Holland was in hospital and unable to travel so he asked me to make sure all was well both with the officiating and the payment of the purse as the BBB of C had appointed me to go with James and trainer John Bloomfield as is usual practise for British boxers taking part in major Championships abroad.

James won well and there was no problem with the payment after I had spoken in advance to both the promoter and EBU General Secretary, Enza Jacoponi.

When we would meet up later over the years there was a running joke when I would demand he pay me my manager’s percentage for that contest !

The non-boxing public may well remember James being the subject of TV’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ series when his club, the Pedro Club, was awarded a substantial award for the work that James was carrying out in Hackney working with disadvantaged youngsters.

It was for that work that James was honoured with a well-deserved MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He was also a member of the ‘Legends of Boxing’ choir which recorded the song, ‘Never Give Up. Never Give In’ at Abbey Road Studios in 2019 in aid of the boxing Charity, the Ringside Charitable Trust and which narrowly missed out on a TV appearance on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ having got an overwhelming audience reception at the London Palladium and a ‘Yes’ from all four Judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Amanda Holden at the auditions but having been passed over in favour of a similar charity nurses choir during that Covid period for the final broadcast.

James was a lovely man, a friend, a true Champion in every respect and like so many of achievement I have been fortunate to meet over the years, a humble one, one you would barely notice if he walked into a room but would make you in turn feel humble once you learned of his accomplishments.

To his family and close friends, my most sincere condolences.

SIMON BLOCK

Director, Commonwealth Boxing Council

Former General Secretary, British Boxing Board of Control