Nicky Cooks attitude at altitude

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WBO featherweight title challenger Nicky Cook says gruelling high altitude training will help him prepare for the toughest fight of his professional career.

The undefeated East Ender takes on Steven Luevano on July 14 at the O2 Arena in London in his first world title fight.

And this week 28-year-old Cook has headed to Tenerife for a two-week training camp in order to get in the best possible shape for the mouth-watering clash.

"The top of one of the big volcanoes out here, Mount Teidi, is almost 12,000 feet, so when I go running up there it will really toughen me up," said former British, Commonwealth and European champion Cook.

"I know that Luevano is a real hard man, so I can't take any short cuts. He's of Mexican stock and that in itself means he'll be hard to beat.

"Doing road work out here really takes it out of you, especially with the altitude, but every step I take will be a step closer to winning that world title.

"When the going gets tough, I'm just going to grit my teeth and think about lifting the WBO title in front of all my fans on July 14.

"I've been dreaming about winning a world title ever since I was a little kid, and now I have the chance to make that dream come true.

"Everyone who turns professional does so in the hope of one day becoming a world champion. Now I'm so close and I don't intend to let my opportunity slip."

Cook's fight against Luevano tops the bill at the O2 Arena, while Amir Khan takes on Willie Limond in a Commonwealth lightweight title shot.

Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Small, Bradley Pryce, Martin Concepcion, Thomas McDonagh and Sam Sexton are also in action.