British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton has re-iterated his long-standing challenge to Amir Khan to meet him in what would now be an old-school showdown for two traditional titles following Khan’s win over Willie Limond on Saturday night.
The Olympic Silver Medallist captured the Commonwealth Crown when former holder Limond failed to emerge for the ninth round at the O2 Arena in Docklands, but only after climbing off the canvas and surviving some torrid moments of his own in the sixth.
“I want Khan to be a man,” began Hennessy Sports promoted Thaxton. “He’s said a lot about me in the press. He’s disrespected me, so now it’s time for him to step up the plate. I’ve got the British Title, he’s got the Commonwealth Title, so let’s do things the old fashioned way and put them both on the line.
“If he says yes, the fight can happen. My promoter Mick Hennessy wants to make the big fights, so we aren’t going to let politics get in the way of things. I’m not going to hide behind my promoter; we will happily go and box on one of their shows.”
Thaxton, who made the first defence of his British title with an impressive stoppage of English champion Scott Lawton in March, has always been sure that he would be too much for Khan. The weekend provided further evidence.
“For me, there have always been a few question marks about Khan’s ability to take a punch,” he added. “He got as close as you can get to being knocked out by Craig Watson in the amateurs. Now I’m convinced that he’s got no chin.
“He was floored heavily by someone I consider a light puncher; someone who gave up his status as mandatory contender to my British Title. He’s getting knocked out the first big punch I land. I would get the job done properly; I wouldn’t let him off the hook. I think he was one punch away from being stopped.
“No disrespect to Limmond, but I believe Khan went for the easy touch by fighting for the Commonwealth. Well, he’s got a bit to prove now and I am giving him the opportunity to fight for the British Title against the number one lightweight in Britain.
“After the withdrawal of Graham Earl, the Board delayed their decision to install my next mandatory contender until after Khan’s fight at the weekend. Now he’s won, hopefully he will be installed next month and then we can really see what he’s made of.”
The 32-year-old Thaxton got his head down and earned the right to be called Britain’s best the hard way. Whether they clash or not, the Norwich hero hopes that Khan will now set about his business in a less vocal fashion.
“He has disrespected a few fighters,” he added. “He’s been talking like he’s the best in Britain, saying how there’s a few of us he’d like to shut up and that we need to fight him before it’s too late.
“He’s also talked about being ready for a world title by the time he’s 21. I don’t believe he’s even good enough to win a British Title, even if I was out of the picture. I don’t think he’d get past someone like Lee Meager. I think Meager could stop him.
“I think it would be better if Khan remembered his level. I think someone like John Murray is a good example of a young fighter. He’s a great little boxer having a proper apprenticeship. He will get the rewards.
“Khan has received a lot of money and attention. Given where he is at, I personally think it’s a bit unjustified and a bit of a circus. I am the man to end it.”
