Murray and Thaxton ready to get it on

[stujones]

Or maybe secure the European title when the contract is closer to completing (an old trick) - ask Ricky Hatton!!

[THEBUTCH]

Arthur hasn't done anything at lightweight, Thaxton lost a close one in an EBU title fight and then a close non-title fight at Welterweight, which traditionally doesn't interfere with getting a British title shot at the weight you campaign at, and that's clearly lightweight for Thaxton.

Jon's on the slide, that's there for all to see, but while he's standing he gives it everything and he'll be fired up for Murray, no doubt about.

Barring cuts, which is a distinct possibility for Thaxton, this should be a good fight or even a great fight, and come the end of the year if we look back on 2009 I bet there's not many better pairings for the British title. Stuff watching Kell Brook turn over McIntyre and Elwell etc, Thaxton-Murray is better than that by a mile.

[alexpaterson]

Agree with Whicker--there was nothing 'controversial' about Thaxton's loss (despite the maddening ITV commentary by a certain pundit from across the water). It was a close fight, but on my card, Thaxton lost...

I had it a draw. He seemed to tire really quickly and Glover was all over him late on

[Wales]

MIssed that fight.

[bennie]

Exciting Manchester dynamo John Murray defends his British lightweight title against exciting Thetford banger Jon Thaxton in the new season.
Unbeaten Murray comes off a sharp six-round stoppage of Scott Lawton and before that disposed of Lee McAllister and Lee Meager in equally convincing style. He looks a good British champion, a bit tight at the weight but not as tight as Thaxton, who lost his European lightweight title in a real shocker to French nobody Anthony Mezaache earlier this year and then – well over the lightweight limit – was also outscored by Essex boy Tom Glover at York Hall in another shocker. It was all so diffferent last year when Thaxton held the the British lightweight title which he relinquished after smashing flashy Spaniard Juan Carlos Diaz Melero in three rounds for the coveted EBU crown and a high world ranking.
Murray then picked up the vacant Lonsdale Belt.
A pro since 1992 at light-welterweight, southpaw Thaxton dropped down to lightweight in 2006 and his efforts to make 9st 9lbs may have finally caught up with him. To me he’s always looked gaunt at the lower weight and was a bit scrappy in defences of his British title against the aforementioned Lawton and Dave Stewart. He can punch, though, as Melero found out, and the last thing they lose is their punch but Murray looks to have a decent beard and time and nostalgia wait for no man.
This one clearly hinges on how much Thaxton has left.
Nevertheless, Glover is a welterweight and Mezaache is unbeaten in his last nine outings. Team Thaxton have their excuses. Moreover, Murray is now mandatory challenger to Mezaache and that European belt. Jon will surely inherit that position if he licks Murray. Desire is possibly on his side. He has nowhere to go if he loses yet again.
Both men are fast starters, so expect fireworks in the early going and possibly plenty of claret but also expect the younger Murray’s greater freshness and workrate to take over from the middle rounds as he grinds his way to a hard-earned decision.

[stujones]

Arthur hasn't done anything at lightweight, Thaxton lost a close one in an EBU title fight and then a close non-title fight at Welterweight, which traditionally doesn't interfere with getting a British title shot at the weight you campaign at, and that's clearly lightweight for Thaxton.

Jon's on the slide, that's there for all to see, but while he's standing he gives it everything and he'll be fired up for Murray, no doubt about.

Barring cuts, which is a distinct possibility for Thaxton, this should be a good fight or even a great fight, and come the end of the year if we look back on 2009 I bet there's not many better pairings for the British title. Stuff watching Kell Brook turn over McIntyre and Elwell etc, Thaxton-Murray is better than that by a mile.

Well - on paper anyway Brook vs McIntyre was a good fight - that was a NEEDED defense. For me, whilst Arthur hasn't beaten anyone of note at Lightweight, its better than someone who is 0-2 in his last 2 outings. Arthur never lost his British, Commonwealth and European titles at Super Feather in the ring.

[THEBUTCH]

Boxers get world title shots on the back of defeats. Thaxton first loss was the EBU title, hardly a reason to put him at the back of the queue, and the Glover loss was two divisions above the weight he campaigns at. Look back over the years and the Board have excused many such instances. IMO thaxton won both fights, but is slipping, although he is still one of the best challengers out there at 9st 9lbs.

Thaxton didn't lose his British title in the ring either. Arthur is great fight to make, but won't happen for a British title, maybe a European could entice his lot into fighting Murray.

[Hardcase]

Jon did vacate the title , so he does deserve the chance.
thats not the issue , it's just come too late

[Finch]

Is Murray ever going to make the leap from a leisure centre to the big stage at the MEN Arena? If Mick Hennessey wants to build him into a star then surely he's got to be fighting at bigger venues than the Altrincham leisure centre and the Robin Park in Wigan. Surely Murray must be getting frustrated with this, he's an exciting fighter and needs more exposure.

Couldn't agree more. He needs to sack Hennessy off and go with a proper promotor that can deliver at a higher level. He's been too inactive recently and needs to step up in class.

[winkveron]

I agree that he has been too inactive over the last couple of years, but people tend to forget he is only 24. Just because some people like Amir Khan win world titles at 21 doesn't mean everyone else has to rush. If he beats Thaxton, then wins the European he'll be fringe world level and will still only be 25. That's plenty of time.

[Autobarn]

It is a shame it will happen, and not earlier. It also is a shame that Murray won't get his EBU title shot right away.

But - Murray-Thaxton is happening. Murray is taking on a big puncher, a southpaw, a big lightweight, so things will probably be learned. Murray and his trainer Joe Gallagher have thought a lot about this fight, for quite a while. I'm sure they'll have a good plan, execute the plan, and break down Thaxton.

Who knows, it still could be a dangerous fight. Just not as rewarding for Murray who has a bigger opportunity given that he's top European contender. I wonder if they could have got on ITV1 if they had a British/European "unification" while both were champs.

[Counter-puncher]

to fight Thaxton nowadays, walk him down behind a guard and wait for him to tire.

sounds tailor-made for Murray

[Autobarn]

and use feints, make him react and swing himself off balance - before stepping in with accurate shots

like romanov did

[gemmell]

What is the point in this fight now? Murray is Maazache's mandotary why not fight him? Thaxton doesnt have it any more so if it does come of an easy KO victory for Murray I say a 5th round stoppage

Better late than never. Will also be a good win on Murray's record if he wins. No pleasing some people

yeh who know's thaxton could pull out one last good performance..even if he does murray will win in the middle rounds..could be a cracker tho..and the reason he isn't fighting for the ebu title is he wants the lonsdale!!!!!

[THEBUTCH]

Good point! Murray is close to getting that Lonsdale belt for keeps...and unless i'm mistaken Thaxton needs one more win to make it his property too. Motivation won't be an issue for Thaxton with an incentive like that.

[Bomber 1]

an ok fight now, but would have liked murray to have a euro shot against mazaache(sorry for spelling)on oct 3rd. Does anybody else think that hennessy is trying to keep murray down, for the reason when murrays contract is up with him he could be on his way to a different promotor, with the lonsdale and poss euro.

You seem to be in the know... This is gonna be a hard fight!! Murray is gonna be in a right war with Thaxton im telling ya, I think Murray will come through BUT he won't have come across anyone as tough or as strong as Thaxton in his life, Let's not forget this is a man who had a life and death tussle with Ricky Hatton! !

[THEBUTCH]

I thought Hatton-Thaxton was a one sided pounding. Thaxton showed exceptional bravery but apart from a little wobble from Hatton after taking a big shot (can't remember the round), I thought he knocked Jon from pillar to post.

Anyway, you're right in that Thaxton is Murray's toughest opponent so far.

[Poncey]

I wish this fight happened last year.

If John wins people will just say Jon is shot.

It's a no win for me.

But if it gets him a title shot.

[andyscottboxing]

yeah i can't help but think this fight should have happened before Thaxton's most recent loss. I doubt he will get the credit he deserves should he beat Thaxton. But as Terry says, should get him the title shot and we can all go to Paris. Hopefully the fights will come quickly after that...

Has Thaxton always cut easily...i can see his corner having a very busy night on this occasion, Murray was so heavy-handed against Lawton

[Dioufy]

Not much interest in this now. Murray will do what he did to Meager here. Thaxton's too slow, too old, and tires very early. If Murray doesn't win here, then that's bad news. But Murray TKO5 for me.

[dazzer]

not to fussed about this fight now, should have happened ages ago. I think hennesy has not looked after murray as much as his other fighters, murray should have been alot more busy is instead of fighting every 6 months no good. Is this because he was out spoken in an interview about hennesy?this fight be on the froch undercard?

[alexpaterson]

I fancy Murray to win younger, fresher, more staminia and more power I think a mid KO around the 6th. Thaxton looked dreadful against Glover but will want it more so dont think it will be easy for Murray