JAMIE Cox has been promised a shot at the British welterweight title - provided he overcomes the challenge of Mark Thompson in an eliminator.

The Swindon boxer has been sounding out elite opposition since his proposed meeting with either Kell Brook or Michael Jennings was cancelled late last year.

Now Cox has been paired with Thompson in what will undoubtedly be the most challenging fight of his relatively short career.

Boasting a record of 23-1-0, which includes a seventh-round stoppage of former Commonwealth champion Craig Dickson, the Lancastrian has been unlucky not to have been awarded a crack at Brook’s British belt to date.

But with the victor set to be given a bout with the winner of Brook’s ring-date with John O’Donnell, the contest has huge significance for both parties.

“It’s a good thing for us,” said Cox’s trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, who believes that being billed against stiffer opposition can only improve his charge’s performance levels after Saturday’s unconvincing victory over Michael Frontin at Wembley Arena drew criticism in boxing circles.

“I think that Jamie’s problem is mental more than anything else. In the back of his mind he went out there on Saturday thinking he had to knock (Frontin) out.

“Now he’s got an opponent who’s got a record which is obviously of a higher standard.

“If he goes into a fight with Thompson thinking the way he did on Saturday then he’s going to have no chance.”

Whilst the 23-year-old and his trainer are convinced the former Walcot star is ready for an outing at a higher level, many are uncertain Cox’s resolve is great enough to accompany his ability.

But the proposed fight with Thompson, which is due to take place before the end of May, gives the Commonwealth Games gold medalist a chance to make amends.

“After Saturday we have still got something left to prove,” said Fitzpatrick.

“This is the perfect opportunity to show how good he is. Every fight is a chance to look bad, and unfortunately on Saturday we took the most of that chace.

“Jamie knows the kind of attention he has been getting after the fight and we need to address that.”