John Murray

[alexpaterson]

I think John Murray should his maturity he boxed patiently and waited for the opportunitys I hope Thaxton retires he has had a good career lets hope he doesnt tarnish it by staying on to long

[jamesmcdonnell]

I really don't want to take anything away from Murray, who from the 2nd round was punch perfect (he's never going to be a lightening starter). Have to say though, Thaxton's accuracy has gone a while ago. He had that "one last good performance" when winning the European title, but he looked a faded force before and after that.

He didn't look good on the pads before the fight IMO.

I thought the fight was going to last longer, but I never gave Thaxton a chance.

He did everything that could be asked of him, he absolutely tore Thaxton to bits and took very little in reply.

Absolutely James, not disputing. I didn't mean to take anything away from Murray's performance - but I was alarmed at Thaxton's accuracy, or lack of, even hitting the pads.

Infact, it was your post on the prizefighter the night before that got me thinking. The one in which you questioned if Danny had some neurological problems now... I was wondering the same of Thaxton watching him on the pads. His accuracy is has been alarmingly off for sometime.

Quite possible; balance issues, that tends to be what affects older fighters who've been in the wars, they start walking on their heels, and they cannot generate the power or accuracy they once did for that reason.

[Autobarn]

I like to be careful when talking about shot or damaged fighters. Graham Earl, or recent Michael Gomez, I found worrying. Thaxton, meanwhile, I would simply call a 35 yo who has been in some very hard fights. A 35 yo with good fitness, a warrior's heart and a powerful punch.

I don't know about his accuracy, etc, but he is always extremely articulate before and after fights.

Thaxton isn't a particularly straight puncher, and does switch stances quite a lot. I think the skills of both Murray and Romanov perhaps exaggerated this Thaxton decline somewhat. They both used some very subtle footwork and sharp punching to knock him out of position.


re Thaxton - if he stops fighting, I would love to read an autobiography. He must have had one hell of an eventful life and career. I'd be fascinated to hear about his kickboxing days. Bet a Thaxton book would be one of the best reads around. This is a warrior who has really done it the hard way.

[leforge]

When is Murray likely to fight next?

[jamesmcdonnell]

I like to be careful when talking about shot or damaged fighters. Graham Earl, or recent Michael Gomez, I found worrying. Thaxton, meanwhile, I would simply call a 35 yo who has been in some very hard fights. A 35 yo with good fitness, a warrior's heart and a powerful punch.

I don't know about his accuracy, etc, but he is always extremely articulate before and after fights.

Thaxton isn't a particularly straight puncher, and does switch stances quite a lot. I think the skills of both Murray and Romanov perhaps exaggerated this Thaxton decline somewhat. They both used some very subtle footwork and sharp punching to knock him out of position.


re Thaxton - if he stops fighting, I would love to read an autobiography. He must have had one hell of an eventful life and career. I'd be fascinated to hear about his kickboxing days. Bet a Thaxton book would be one of the best reads around. This is a warrior who has really done it the hard way.

It's very hard to say. It may just be that Jono's timing has gone, or he just cannot pull the trigger like he used to. His corner seemed to be saying something along the lines of his timing being off between rounds.

[Autobarn]

What about Murray-Rees?

Rees a former world title holder (light welter), back to domestic level (lightweight).

Murray retains Lonsdale belt - doesn't he need 1 more win to keep it outright? - and it poss sets him up for something bigger.

[Counter-puncher]

I like to be careful when talking about shot or damaged fighters. Graham Earl, or recent Michael Gomez, I found worrying. Thaxton, meanwhile, I would simply call a 35 yo who has been in some very hard fights. A 35 yo with good fitness, a warrior's heart and a powerful punch.

I don't know about his accuracy, etc, but he is always extremely articulate before and after fights.

Thaxton isn't a particularly straight puncher, and does switch stances quite a lot. I think the skills of both Murray and Romanov perhaps exaggerated this Thaxton decline somewhat. They both used some very subtle footwork and sharp punching to knock him out of position.

another good post mate

re Earl, i was horrified just watching him walk to the ring vs Khan, he was on his heels before he took a punch it seemed to me, it seemed a foregone conclusion what would happen to him the first time he took any kind of shot

my opinion is, if Thaxton isn't actually at that point, he's pretty close to it

[jamesmcdonnell]

I like to be careful when talking about shot or damaged fighters. Graham Earl, or recent Michael Gomez, I found worrying. Thaxton, meanwhile, I would simply call a 35 yo who has been in some very hard fights. A 35 yo with good fitness, a warrior's heart and a powerful punch.

I don't know about his accuracy, etc, but he is always extremely articulate before and after fights.

Thaxton isn't a particularly straight puncher, and does switch stances quite a lot. I think the skills of both Murray and Romanov perhaps exaggerated this Thaxton decline somewhat. They both used some very subtle footwork and sharp punching to knock him out of position.

another good post mate

re Earl, i was horrified just watching him walk to the ring vs Khan, he was on his heels before he took a punch it seemed to me, it seemed a foregone conclusion what would happen to him the first time he took any kind of shot

my opinion is, if Thaxton isn't actually at that point, he's pretty close to it

Graham Earl was also slurring horrifically in the taped pre-fight interview. When I heard that just before the main event, I was pretty horrified. He could barely string a sentence together and was clearly punch drunk.

Thaxton is still clear and lucid and has no such problems evident, but may still have sustained some damage to the areas that govern his balance, or may just have blunted relflexes due to age.

[Counter-puncher]

yeh true mate Earl is the only fighter i have seen give prefight interviews that match the late-career Bobby Chacon for lack of lucidity. horrifying to watch.

seriosuly though, thaxton IMO is 1 or 2 tough fights from that stage

on the same subject, jesus, how much damage must the Katsidis fight have done to Earl?

[Autobarn]

I know Thaxton's had a very tough career - I mean look at the ppl he's faced - Ricky Hatton, Yuri Romanov, John Murray, Colin Dunne, Paul Ryan (ok, didn't take too many shots in that 1!), Lee Meager, Dave Stewart, Mezaache (proven Euro class now, wins over Thaxton & Kudriavtsev), Juan Carlos Diaz Melero (who came very close to beating Romanov), Eammon Magee, etc.

No wonder he would be slowing down or showing some wear and tear. I think that Ingle style relies on great reflexes, so when you try some of those moves when you're slowing down, it can go wonky, and you can be open to shots. The shot Murray wobbled him with happened when Thaxton was backing up in straight line and hence vulnerable. Still, he's shown he can handle himself in a fight, as was the case in the Lawton and Stewart bouts where he just seemed to come forward relentlessly.

Haven't seen him take too many beatings (Magee seemed to be the worst, and I think Thaxton felt that could have gone on). The 2 fights in which he was getting jolted around the ring, were cut off before he could really get battered. Romanov cut him and Thaxton was retired by corner. Murray zapped him with quick, sharp shots (not his trademark heavy ones) and ref jumps in before he can land his really hard shots.

[Autobarn]

yeh true mate Earl is the only fighter i have seen give prefight interviews that match the late-career Bobby Chacon for lack of lucidity. horrifying to watch.

seriosuly though, thaxton IMO is 1 or 2 tough fights from that stage

on the same subject, jesus, how much damage must the Katsidis fight have done to Earl?

reckon romanov started it off. even in losing, yuri was landing huge shots. the 2nd half of earl-romanov is really outstanding. romanov battering him, then earl roaring back on a winded romanov. one of my fave ever fights based in britain.