Boxer cleared over bar brawl (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Boxer cleared over bar brawl

8:51am Thursday 14th June 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Star boxer Jamie Cox insists he was a victim of mistaken identity when police handcuffed him after a bar scuffle.

A man needed stitches to his mouth after the fight at Revolution in Bridge Street early on Sunday, June 3.

The 20-year-old Commonwealth champion was detained by police after the incident but released when a bouncer pointed at someone else.

It is alleged that Cox and some friends had been spitting on some girls and pulling their hair. It is also alleged that the group were popping balloons that the girls had with them.

A man intervened and it is alleged that Cox hit him in the face. But the pro boxer from Middleleaze denied he had struck a fellow reveller.

He said: "I was handcuffed but it was a case of mistaken identity. The police were told and released me after a few minutes, and I've heard nothing more about it."

Initially, Cox refused to comment about allegations that he spat on fellow revellers, but he later denied it emphatically.

He said: "I've got no comment to make on that, but I don't remember doing anything like that. I don't remember popping any balloons or pulling any hair, and it's a case of her word against mine.

"The police let me go when the bouncer came along and they followed someone else. So it really was a mix up about identity."

The victim's mouth needed stitches and glue to treat the injury.

Police have spoken to several witnesses and said they were continuing their inquiries.

Cox is currently in his second week of training for his next appearance on July 14.

Managed by Frank Warren, he will fight on the undercard of Amir Khan's fight at the O2 Arena, in Greenwich.

His debut as a professional was delayed last month after the late postponement of the Michael Sprott versus Matt Skelton bout in London.

Cox said this week the delay had been a bitter disappointment.

It came just over a year after the light-welterweight shot to fame by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Anyone who witnessed the incident at Revolution is asked to contact Swindon police at Gablecross police station on 0845 408 7000.