SOUTHPAW Jamie Cox is hoping Tony Borg will be the key to his success as he bids for a successful 2019, writes Matthew Davies.

Swindon-born Cox, a former WBO European and Commonwealth champion, split from trainer John Costello after being beaten by fellow Englishman John Ryder last May.

The 32-year-old took some time away from boxing but returns this spring after being named on Matchroom Italy’s show in Milan on March 8 under the tutelage of St Joseph’s coach Borg.

The now Newport-based fighter has also opted to step down a weight class, from super-middleweight to middleweight.

Cox (25-2), who hasn’t fought at middleweight for more than four years, feels a change was needed to rejuvenate his career.

“I’ve known Tony for a long time,” he said. “To me, John (Costello) is part of my family but I had a few things going on in my life last year and I just wanted a fresh change,” he said.

“Tony is very good and very knowledgeable, he’s always in the gym so I am learning off him every day I’m with him.

“I’ve been out for quite a bit but I’m back training with Tony. I’ll be ready for March and then hopefully I’ll have a title fight of some sort in May.”

Cox’s two career defeats came at super-middleweight, with both Ryder and the recently retired George Groves stopping him inside two and four rounds respectively.

Speaking about his step down in weight, Cox added: “Hopefully I will be very strong at the weight.

“Previously I moved up two weight divisions because I wasn’t boxing a lot, but I was still eating a lot.

“I wasn’t eating bad food, but I was eating big portions.

"I was holding my own with the super-middleweights, but they had height, reach and a weight advantage over me when it came to fight night.

“If I can mimic that at middleweight and be towards the top end of the weight then it should be better."