Thaxton's title fight on ITV4

[Asterix]

Jon Thaxton could have the biggest audience of his career when he fights Juan Carlos Diaz Melero for the European title on 4 October.

Promoter Mick Hennessy has signed a rights package with ITV to screen fights from his stable of boxers.

The fight will be broadcast on ITV4 and available to 90% of the UK, and Thaxton told BBC Radio Norfolk he was thrilled.

He said: "It is a great fight for TV, it is going to be very exciting and it is great that it is in Norwich."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7625034.stm

[leforge]

Do you think he win?

[bennie]

Jon Thaxton receives a surprise second crack at the European lightweight title when he takes on flashy and talented Juan Carlos Diaz Melero on October 4 in Norwich.
Local hero Thaxton was stopped at the end of five rounds by Belarussian banger Yuri Romanov at York Hall in his last crack (and his last fight) in April, officially on cuts but Jon was taking a real pasting. Romanov relinquished afterwards, to concentrate on the world, and Thaxton and Melero thus square up for the vacant belt. A nice break for Thaxton (and Melero), just weeks after bitter domestic rival Amir Khan lost to Colombian bogeyman Breidis Prescott. This is a chance for serious oneupmanship.
Ironically, Melero has also lost to Romanov, in three sensational rounds in November 2006 in Spain. It was a fight the Spaniard was dominating when he walked on to a crushing right hand. Indeed, Melero had just put Romanov down when that right hand laid him 'out'. Thaxton hardly enjoyed the same kind of success against Romanov (pre-knockout, of course). The Thetford southpaw is a fast starter but it was Romanov, normally quite a slow starter, who proved sharper and more accurate from the start, quickly breaking Jon's nose and then busting him up around the right eye. The stocky, determined, heavy handed Thaxton tried to turn the tide in the fifth round but his injuries, and Romanov's punishing, precise counters, proved too much and his corner pulled him out at the bell. A pro for 16 years, the 34-year-old Thaxton surely knows this is his last chance to snare the prized European belt.
Melero has already held the title which he won with an 11-round stoppage of Italian 'name' Stefano Zoff in Madrid in 2005. After one successful defence, he was flattened by Romanov but has reeled off five wins since to put himself back in the frame. Melero is quick, skilful, sharp-hitting and cocky, although he doesn't hit as hard as Thaxton and is only two years younger (32). Plus, he is not well-travelled, having fought only once oustide his native country, in France in 2003. Thaxton's promoter Mick Hennessy, with the backing of a new deal with ITV Sport, has pulled off something of a coup to lure the Spaniard out of his lair. Jon will have a big crowd right behind him.
The fact remains, Melero has lost only to Romanov in 37 outings and will prove a handful. Thaxton has not been looking great in recent outings, even in repeated victory, and you wonder if all his wars with the likes of Ricky Hatton and American cutie Emanuel Augustus are catching up with him. He went into the Romanov challenge as reigning British champion and on a six-year winning run but never got into the fight at all.
Still, the last thing they lose is their punch and Thaxton can undeniably whack, and we know that Melero can be caught and 'chinned'. Thaxton's power, his sheer strength and size (Jon is a 'big' lightweight) and all his championship experience could rattle the visitor enough to force a victory, although this one could go either way in truth.

[Max Molyneux]

Do you think he win?

Nah, he'll get outclassed again.

[WildWaylon]

He will get tired loading up bombs instead of boxing clever. I like Jon but he wastes far too much energy.

[black panther]

I'd really like to see Jono pull it off - he deserves it. But as some have stated - he loads up on single power shots far too much these days...he almost blew against Stewart and on recent form you'd have to make Melero the favourite. Didn't Melero also have Romanov on the deck?

And on a related note great job by Hennessy to get boxing back on ITV.

[Maelstrom]

Didn't Melero also have Romanov on the deck?

It always amazes me that people post without reading the posts beforehand!!

[black panther]

Didn't Melero also have Romanov on the deck?

It always amazes me that people post without reading the posts beforehand!!

Aite mate chill I read bennies post but kinda skimmed it...my bad.

[Maelstrom]

Didn't Melero also have Romanov on the deck?

It always amazes me that people post without reading the posts beforehand!!

Aite mate chill I read bennies post but kinda skimmed it...my bad.

You are right - sorry, that was a bit harsh!!

[stujones]

I think Thaxton is a tad overated these days.... he looked very good vs Meager, but pretty medicore before and since - and Meager has looked pretty terrible since, so maybe Meager flattered Thaxton.

So I go for a Melero win.

Incidently, on a side issue, reading the Hennessey press release again, its sound like Froch on ITV 1 is a one off - ALL Hennesey's other shows will be on ITV4, including Froch's other fights... so will that affect the quality of opponents should Froch win, and should Thaxton win... if they are not going to be on ITV1.

[split_decision]

Incidently, on a side issue, reading the Hennessey press release again, its sound like Froch on ITV 1 is a one off - ALL Hennesey's other shows will be on ITV4, including Froch's other fights... so will that affect the quality of opponents should Froch win, and should Thaxton win... if they are not going to be on ITV1.

This is true but I'm pretty sure should a froch / taylor fight come off somewhere down the line it would be upgraded to ITV1. I would hope anyway.

[WildWaylon]

I think Thaxton is a tad overated these days.... he looked very good vs Meager, but pretty medicore before and since - and Meager has looked pretty terrible since, so maybe Meager flattered Thaxton.

So I go for a Melero win.

Incidently, on a side issue, reading the Hennessey press release again, its sound like Froch on ITV 1 is a one off - ALL Hennesey's other shows will be on ITV4, including Froch's other fights... so will that affect the quality of opponents should Froch win, and should Thaxton win... if they are not going to be on ITV1.

I think ITV want to use ITV4 for sport more in the future which makes sense.

[THEBUTCH]

Great news for Thaxton. Hennessy, despite knockers seemingly waiting to write him off, keeps coming up with the goods. He's starting to remind me of a certain Sportsnetwork boss who has always rebounded back...only Mick puts on shows well worth watching !

I haven't looked into Melero too much, but the Spanish don't tend to have too much luck in England. Thaxton really does need to use his brain and the skills he has rather than trying to always win by brute strength and aggression. I reckon he's in for better night than he had last time when challenging for the European title.

Surely Melero can't be as tough as Romanov?

[caffrey]

thaxton will have a punchers chance for sure but he needs to get his tactics right and not go charging in. He looked bad and out of his depth against romanov who is very good but far from unbeatable.

Malero tko(possibly due to cuts) in about 7 for me

[Happy Slapper]

I never think Thaxton boxes well in Norwich. He's always far too eager to impress and leaves himself open. I hope he does it though because he is a top bloke and a model professional.

[Autobarn]

Great news for Thaxton. Hennessy, despite knockers seemingly waiting to write him off, keeps coming up with the goods. He's starting to remind me of a certain Sportsnetwork boss who has always rebounded back...only Mick puts on shows well worth watching !

I haven't looked into Melero too much, but the Spanish don't tend to have too much luck in England. Thaxton really does need to use his brain and the skills he has rather than trying to always win by brute strength and aggression. I reckon he's in for better night than he had last time when challenging for the European title.

Surely Melero can't be as tough as Romanov?

Certainly not, but he's a lot slicker than Romanov.

Melero was easily outboxing Romanov, until he traded and got flattened. I think Thaxton will have a hard time connecting on Melero. Good opportunity, though.

[Autobarn]

Any news on undercards for Froch, Thaxton & Murray shows?