Thaxton is preparing for 'King Kong'

Norwich Evening News 2423rd September, 2009

Jon Thaxton admits he will have to produce the "perfect fight" when he attempts to regain the British lightweight crown - and keep the Lonsdale belt for good.

The Norwich boxer has just turned 35 and faces the unbeaten John Murray, 24, in his own Manchester backyard on October 3.

Thaxton is coming off the back of his worst run for years, having lost three of his last four fights, but insists he's ready for the challenge.

"I have got to fight my perfect fight and that is all I can do," he said. "I will go in there and give my absolute all and I really believe I have the chance and the edge."

Thaxton lost a European title fight on a cut to Yuri Romanov in April last year, but six months later beat Juan Carlos Diaz Melero to take the crown - losing it last February to Anthony Mezaache in a fight he insists he won. He returned to the ring in July, but suffered a shock loss to Tom Glover after being deducted a point for holding.

Ringside pundits says Thaxton is taking a big risk against Murray, but the Norwich man says he wants to put the record straight.

"I have the experience and as long as I box the way I know I can box I can do it," Thaxton insisted.

"If I don't and I lose it will be one hell of a fight. I will not back down and I will give my heart. If I win the fight then that's absolutely brilliant; if I lose I will go out on my shield and I will not be ashamed of how I go. I am going to give my absolute all."

Thaxton refuses to talk of possible retirement - "I'm taking one fight at a time," he said - and insists he's happy to be cast in the role of underdog.

"I've had a bad year," he said. "I've lost my last two fights when on paper I should have won them. I consider myself to be the ultimate professional, but maybe subconsciously I underestimated both those guys and while I might have been physically fit for those fights maybe mentally I wasn't where I should have been. That won't be the case this time because I know that to win this fight I'm going to have to go to hell and back.

"In my mind I'm fighting a monster, I'm overestimating what John Murray is capable of. As far as I'm concerned I'm fighting King Kong but mentally that's the challenge I need, that's what will bring the best out of me.

"I'm preparing for war. He's a hungry, young fighter and a top prospect. I'm actually a big fan of his and I love his exciting style. It's going to be a great fight for the fans so as a boxing fan I'm really looking forward to the fight."

Thaxton has gone back to basics for this fight and has left the home comforts of Norwich to base himself at the Ingle's Gym in Sheffield.

"I've already been in Sheffield for the last seven weeks," he said. "I've cut myself off from my family and kids for this one and it's been very, very hard but I know that the sacrifices will be worth it. Dominic Ingle has been pushing me so hard in the gym and he's studied Murray to ensure that we have a plan A, B and C.

"This fight reminds me of when I knocked out Paul 'Scrap Iron' Ryan back in 1996. He was the big unbeaten, up and comer at the time and I was a massive underdog but I prevailed that night and I believe I can do it again."

Thaxton believes all the sacrifices will be worth it come October 3 when he faces Murray at the Altrincham Leisure Centre, with the event being shown live on ITV4 .

"I'm thriving on this," he said. "Of course the sacrifices are very hard but that's the way it's supposed to be. All I'm thinking about is getting my hands on that Lonsdale belt and winning it for keeps. That's the one thing I've always wanted in my career and the only man standing in the way of me doing that now is John Murray."

Tickets are available at £30 and £70, with coach travel from Norwich £20 - call Marion Thaxton on 07885 157780.

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