Nicky aims to follow Ricky

Nicky Cook makes his first defence of the European featherweight title tonight with promoter Jess Harding promising the 25-year-old Londoner he can become "the Ricky Hatton of the south".

Cook seeks to start emulating the success of Manchester-based Hatton when he puts his unbeaten record of 23 fights on the line against French veteran Johny Begue at the Brentwood International Centre in Essex.

Harding said: "We're looking to make Nicky a fighter who can put 15,000 bums on seats and fill major London venues like the Royal Albert Hall, Alexandra Palace and Olympia.

"He has talent, boxing skills, punching skills and he trains well. He talks well and he is a good-looking lad. He has everything going for him."