Jonathan Thaxton (born 10 September 1974 in Norwich) is a former English professional lightweight boxer. He held European and British lightweight boxing titles in a 17-year career. He retired in October 2009, following defeat to John Murray.
He fought as a kick-boxer and as an amateur before turning professional
Professional career
He had his first professional fight in December 1992, beating Scott Smith on points over six rounds in Stoke on Trent. In his early career he fought as a light-welterweight. His first fight for a major title was in September 1996, when he won the WBO Intercontinental Light-Welterweight title, beating Bernard Paul of Mauritius on points. In November 1997, he won the IBF Intercontinental Light-Welterweight title, beating Rimvidas Bilius of Lithuania on points. In September 1998, he lost both titles, when he lost to the American, Emanuel Augustus, being knocked out in the seventh.
In November 1999, he fought Jason Rowland for the British light-welterweight title, losing when the fight was stopped in the fifth. In October 2000, he had another shot at the now vacant British light-welterweight title when he fought Ricky Hatton. Despite Hatton being cut badly in the first round, he went on to defeat Thaxton on points. In February 2002, he fought Eamonn Magee for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title, losing when the fight was stopped in the sixth.
Between 2002 and 2004, Thaxton spent two years out of the ring with a shoulder injury after a road accident.
WBF title
In April 2005, he knocked out Frenchman Christophe De Busillet in the fourth, to take the vacant WBF world lightweight title. In September 2005, he defended the title against Romanian Vasile Dragomir, scoring a knockout in the fourth round.
British title
In December 2006, he fought Lee Meager, the holder of the British lightweight title. Thaxton scored a unanimous points victory to take the title. In March 2007, he defended the British lightweight title against Scott Lawton, winning by a technical knockout in the seventh. In October 2007, he defended the British lightweight title again, this time against Dave Stewart, winning by a technical knockout in the twelfth round.
European title challenge
In April 2008, he challenged Yuri Romanov, of Belarus, for his European lightweight title. The fight was stopped at the start of the sixth when Thaxton's corner refused to let him come out due to bad cuts. This was Thaxton's first defeat after twelve straight wins. On October 4, 2008, Thaxton captured the vacated European lightweight title in the third round of the contest against Spaniard Juan Carlos Melero Diaz.
British Title
In October 2009, Jon stepped back in the ring against undefeated challenger John Murray for the British Lightweight Title. Murray went on to reclaim the belt after stopping Thaxton in the 4th.
