Jon Thaxton will fight in Norwich for the first time in eighteen months when he makes the first defence of his British Lightweight Title against Scott Lawton on Friday March 16th live on Sky Sports.
The pair will square off on a Hennessy Sports promotion at the Norfolk Showground, an all-purpose Exhibition and Events Centre that will play host to professional boxing for the very first time.
“I’m coming home,” said the 32-year-old Thaxton. “It’s been a long time since I boxed in Norwich, so I’m really excited about it. I don’t mind boxing away - sometimes it takes you out of that comfort zone - but it’s always good to come back.
“I always know that my fans will turn out to support me, they are very loyal and I love them for it. They always generate a good atmosphere and that never fails to lift me.
“It gives me that extra 20 or 30 percent. I am determined to go out there and deliver. I am determined to go out there, give my best and keep the British title in Norwich now that I have finally won it.”
Thaxton claimed the British Title from Lee Meager last December at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre on points after putting in one of the performances of his career.
“I definitely put that up there as one of my best fights,” he added. “People saw that as a fifty-fifty match, which was good for me. I didn’t see it like that, but people couldn’t split us.
“I was very confident going in and I performed on the night, but Meager put up an excellent fight. He was very tough. He can definitely come again and be a champion if he has the right attitude, I am sure of that. Look at me; I have been beat seven times. It’s all about learning.”
‘Jono’ expects another hard, yet different, night’s work against Lawton.
“He deserves his chance,” Thaxton, a father of two, continued. “I think he would have been made my next mandatory anyway. This is going to be his world title fight - he is going to be so up for it.
“Lawton is going to put in the performance of his life; he will prove a very stiff challenge. He’s a good boxer and he’s very tall: just under 6ft, so it’s going to be a very different fight from Lee. This will be a case of me being a hell of a lot more aggressive and letting my power do the work.
“He’s going to be full of confidence. So am I. I know that given where I am right now, with my fitness and experience, that it’s gonna take someone special to beat me and I can’t see Scott Lawton doing that. But I don’t underestimate anyone. I’m preparing for King Kong.”
‘The Showdowns @ The Showground’ event, promoted by Hennessy Sports, will feature a second domestic title fight. Former British, Commonwealth and European champion Esham Pickering meets Marc Callaghan for the vacant championship at super bantamweight.
Also appearing will be local fighters Spartacus, Sam Sexton, Danny McIntosh and Paul Davis as well as light welterweight debutante Leonard Lothian. Tickets priced £25, £35, £50 and £100 are on sale now from Sportlink on 01603 868 606 or 01603 869 051.
Hennessy Sports Proudly Present
The Showdowns @ The Showground
Friday 16th March 2007
The Norfolk Showground
Tickets priced £25, £35, £50 and £100 available from Sportlink on 01603 868 606
12x3 British Lightweight Championship
Jon Thaxton vs. Scott Lawton
(Norwich) (Stoke)
12x3 British Super Bantamweight Championship
Esham Pickering vs. Marc Callaghan
(Newark) (Barking)
6x3 Light Heavyweight
Spartacus vs. Ayittey Powers
(Ipswich) (Ghana)
6x3 Heavyweight
Sam Sexton vs. TBA
(Norwich) ()
6x3 Super Middleweight
Danny McIntosh vs. TBA
(Norwich) ()
4x3 Light Heavyweight
Paul Davis vs. Omid Burzo
(Norwich) (Tehran via Sheffield)
4x3 Light Welterweight
Leonard Lothian vs. TBA
(Northampton) ()