By Julian Shea

Cook pictured with his European title belt

Undefeated featherweight Nicky Cook will be making up for lost time when he meets Steven Luevano for the WBO title at London's O2 Arena on 14 July.

Cook was denied a title shot last year when Scott Harrison withdrew from their scheduled bout at short notice.

"This is exactly the right time for me. I'm fresh as a daisy and as fit as I'm ever going to be," he told BBC Sport.

"I've got strength you don't have as a kid, I've got 11 weeks to train and I should be bang on for the night."

Dagenham fighter Cook, who has won all 27 of his professional bouts, faces American Luevano for the vacant title in Greenwich.

The frustration of the Harrison debacle, where the Scot pulled out at the last moment citing weight problems, gives Cook extra motivation.

As well as feeling let down, the cancellation left Cook out of pocket, so he filled the gap by taking part in a fill-in fight against Harry Ramogoadi.

"That night I was supposed to be fighting for a world title, but instead I ended up fighting in an eight-rounder against someone who didn't really do me any favours," he said.

"It was pretty dangerous to take the fight but we've all got bills to pay. I lost money going into training so I thought I might as well fight and try to make some money up.

"It could have been a dangerous move as my mind wasn't on the job but I came through it alright."

Cook's mind is sure to be on the job when he faces Luevano in the biggest fight of his life, not far from his East End heartland.

"It'll be great experience fighting at the O2, loads of east London fans coming out - they'll love it and I'll love fighting in front of them," he said.

If he maintains his 100% record and claims the title, the new world champion knows exactly what he will do to start the celebrations.

"As soon as I won the European title I got a tattoo done on my arm with the date of the fight," he said.

"As soon as I win the world title, I'll be getting that one done too."