JAMIE Cox has his sights set on winning a British title before the end of the year.

The Swindon boxer returned to action for the first time in 14 months on Saturday night with an impressive victory over Marcus Portman.

Cox stopped Portman inside three rounds at London’s O2 Arena and now believes he is ready for a shot at a domestic title.

Prince Arran is the current British light-middleweight champion but Cox believes he already has the measure of him.

“On the back of that performance I think I’m ready for Prince Arran,” claimed Cox. “That’s the fight I want, I’m ready for it now. I go back in the gym next week and all I am concentrating on now is getting a British title. Whether it is next fight or the one after I don’t mind but I am ready for it now. I think my peformance on Saturday proved that.”

And it’s not just Cox himself who believes he is ready for that fight, with his trainer John Costello echoing his claims as well as former WBO middle and super middleweight champion Steve Collins.

Said Cox: “Steve Collins came up to me after the fight and complimented me on my performance. To hear that from someone like Steve Collins is amazing and gives me great confidence and belief.

“He is a legend in the sport and for him to compliment me on how I boxed really put a smile on my face.”

It was also an emotional night for 24-year-old Cox, who was fighting for the first time without his father Tony by his side. His father had been to each of his professional fights but was missing on Saturday night following his tragic death earlier in the year.

However, although Cox admitted he was nervous before the fight he hopes his father would have been proud of his performance.

“That win was for my dad,” said Cox. “I hope he would have been proud, I think he would have been.

“With my dad passing away it was a very emotional night.

“I was nervous in the changing rooms thinking about the fight and trying to hold my nerves and emotions in.

“Once I got in the ring though, I felt very sharp. After a fight I normally have some marks on me but I didn’t and my body wasn’t aching at all.”

Cox’s destiny is now in the hands of his promoter Frank Warren but the former Commonwealth Games gold medalist says he will not rest until he lifts that British title.

“It’s up to Frank (Warren) now,” added Cox. “I didn’t speak to Frank after the fight but spoke to his matchmaker Dean Powell and he said he was very pleased with me because nobody normally does that to Marcus Portman. They wanted to give me a test on Saturday night and I think I passed it.

“If it takes a couple more fights then so be it but that’s up to Frank now.

“If Frank wants me to have a couple more fights then that’s no odds to me. But I’d take a British title shot now, I believe I’m ready for that and if Frank can make that fight then that’s great. I’ll just get back in the gym now and wait for that call.”

Cox must now wait to hear when his next fight will be but, British title fight or not, the Swindon light-middleweight is likely to be back in the ring in July or August.