It may have seemed like just another day at the office for boxing's rising star Jamie Cox but, after easing to his second professional victory, the Swindon southpaw admitted the last month has been anything but easy.

With personal problems outside the ring and a dodgy left hand worrying him in it, Cox had to dig deep at the York Hall on Saturday night but the results showed his character and guts should never be questioned.

He will undoubtedly face bigger and harder tests in his quest to one day become world champion, than the brave but ultimately outclassed Duncan Cottier, but after a torrid last few weeks in his professional and private life a relieved Cox was just glad to be back on course.

"It has been difficult," he said. "My head has been all over the place recently because of things off the ring as well as in it but I forgot all that out there.

"It was just brilliant to be back in the ring again.

"I suppose you could say I have emerged from the last few weeks a stronger person and hopefully a stronger fighter.

"I am yet to lose a round since turning professional so I can't complain at that.

"I have actually fought two hard guys now, probably harder than most people fight so early in their career and to have beaten them both quite easily, I could not have asked for a better start."

A quarter-full York Hall in Bethnal Green would not have been the environment Cox had in mind when he turned his back on Olympic glory for the professional game, midway through last year.

But, as wily coach Richie Woodhall would have drummed into him from the beginning, oak trees grow from small acorns and this was just another important step on his route to stardom.

As it was anyone who was in the venue early enough for Cox's 6.30pm seconds out was clearly rooting for the Swindon boxer, with a few hundred rising to their feet to acclaim their hero.

"I don't notice the crowd," said Cox. "I didn't hear anyone when I won gold at the Commonwealth Games and I did not hear anyone on Saturday.

"But if all those people were cheering for me then that is brilliant.

"I suppose it probably does drive you subconsciously even though you don't think you notice them at the time."

Any nerves and fears he may have had, after an injury-disrupted build up, were well hid as he eyeballed his journeyman opponent from Romford and as the first bell went, Cox went about his business.

To the neutral, a comprehensive first two rounds from him would have passed by without any suspicions over his fitness but to his most ardent fans a reluctance to use his most potent weapon, his left, was certainly noticed.

Not that it mattered though as a series of firm right handed jabs continually had Cottier on the ropes and had the growing crowd chanting "easy, easy" as he visibly grew in confidence.

Still the question marks over his injured left remained though until a fierce left uppercut early in the third proved the problem was now healed.

As the fight wore on, he increasingly started to use his left and even knocked his opponent down early in the fourth, although the referee pronounced it a stumble.

No-one could argue with the 40-36 points verdict in his favour and post match it was a smiling Cox that had the last say on the evening's work.

"I love fighting," he said. "I have had to wait for this for a while but when I am out there I remember how much I do enjoy this."