THAXTON: AMIR ‘KHAN’ GET ME IN THE RING FOR FREE

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 31 Jul 2007, 07:49

THAXTON: AMIR ‘KHAN’ GET ME IN THE RING FOR FREE

- Thaxton makes public offer to Team Khan
- GoldenPalace.com to cover Thaxton purse
- Thaxton released by Hennessy Sports & Sky Sports for potential contest on October 6th

Jon Thaxton believes he has found a novel way to cut through boxing politics and secure a marquee showdown against Olympic Silver Medalist Amir Khan.

With the assistance of his promoter Hennessy Sports, the British Lightweight champion has secured backing from Internet Casino giant GoldenPalace.com that would allow him to fight his Commonwealth counterpart without the need for a purse from the event promoter.

The Norwich hero hopes the offer will tempt team Khan to accept an old school, double title showdown for their next fight, currently scheduled for October 6th at the Nottingham Arena.

“Amir’s promoter doesn't have to pay me a single penny,” said Thaxton. “GoldenPalace.com will put up my purse, with no strings attached.

'Mick Hennessy wants to make the big fights, so he is more than happy for me to appear on somebody else’s show as long as I am getting treated fairly.

“My broadcaster Sky Sports has been very supportive as well. They have shown their commitment to boxing once again by agreeing to me appearing on another broadcaster’s event if this fight happens. I am sure ITV want to show Khan in the best possible fights for their viewers.

“Both Khan and I have titles so there is no need for anyone to talk about options, so all round this is the perfect solution.

'Unless Khan doesn't want it, there is absolutely no reason this fight cannot happen. I’m ready for that date but I need to know if they are up for it now, I don’t want anyone springing an offer on me with two weeks to go.

“I have earned the right to call myself the best lightweight in Britain. If he wants to take it off me, he won't get a better chance.

“Now he is Commonwealth champion he needs to step up to the plate rather than going back to easier fights. He has been talking about being a world champion by the time he’s 21. Surely if he’s on schedule for that then he should be prepared to step in with the current British champion?

“I have been reading headlines that he is keen to fight me. Well here I am. Look no further, I’m here, ready to go.

“I believe he has shown a lot of disrespect to me and other fighters in Britain by saying we have to fight him before its too late. How can he say that when challenges are put in front of him, and then he doesn’t take them up? It’s beyond belief.

“I’m just saying it how it is. We all saw Willie Limond show that he can be vulnerable.

“Limond was not known as a puncher but was well in the fight and knocked Amir down in the sixth.

“Amir did well to get up and stop Limond two rounds later, but if I got the chance to hit him, he would stay hit and not get up.”

GoldenPalace.com is renowned for their highly valued support of boxing. They have got behind the careers of ring legend Bernard Hopkins, WBC Light Welter Champ Junior Witter and stand out talent Carl Froch, the fast rising WBC #1 and British super middleweight king.

This proposal is the most recent extension of their long term support for Hennessy Sports.

“After following the career of Thaxton and Khan, we decided to intervene and attempt to hurry up the process for what we all feel would be a spectacular bout between two champions,” said Richard Rowe, CEO of Goldenpalace.com.

Hennessy Sports head Mick Hennessy is equally as keen to see the showdown.

“Politics and money can prevent big fights from happening in Britain, but we are willing to take those out of the equation to try and make Jon Thaxton versus Amir Khan happen on October 6,” he said.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:03

Does Mr Warren have a barge poll? If he does he wont be touching Thaxton with it. No chance Frank puts Khan in with Jono, no chance, no way. To be fair though, its Amir making the big statements, not Warren. Understandably Frank will want to protect his asset and develop him properly. Personally I think Thaxton would clean Khan within 4 on recent performances.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:08

Its time to 'Walk The Walk' Amir!!!!

Khan shouldn't be using his mouth so freely by saying he's the best in Britain, if he's not willing to back it up.

Thaxton-Khan would be a barnstorming fight, I'd love to see it

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:10

To be fair I think Amir would take the fight, I just dont think Frank believes its the right time for him, especially after the Limmond showing and with Earl booked in for December.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:19

Magri-Wallace all over again. That didn't happen either.

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:26

If Amir and Frank don't take advantage of this offer
Kahn better shut his mouth forever!

Cannibal · Post by **Cannibal** » 31 Jul 2007, 08:55

This will really show where their intentions lie. How often does a free fight that will bring in guarenteed viewers fall into your lap? If I were ITV I would be putting the squeeze on Warren for this one.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:00

Its too early for Khan to take Thaxton. Thaxton maybe top10 in the world right now and may have world class power. Throwing in a 12fight 20yo novice against a veteran power puncher of 39fights would be bad management. Thats not to say Khan couldn't beat Thaxton. But its a danger they don't need to take. All top fighters are not risked until they reach the potential big fights. Even Frazier was steered away from Liston and a few other big punchers during his time as a prospect

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:13

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Its too early for Khan to take Thaxton. Thaxton maybe top10 in the world right now and may have world class power. Throwing in a 12fight 20yo novice against a veteran power puncher of 39fights would be bad management. Thats not to say Khan couldn't beat Thaxton. But its a danger they don't need to take. All top fighters are not risked until they reach the potential big fights. Even Frazier was steered away from Liston and a few other big punchers during his time as a prospect

I totally agree that its a fight they won't take, but looking at it from Thaxtons point of view you can see why he's pissed off, when you've got a young up start claiming he's the best in Britain.

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:15

Kahn still may be too tired from signing autographs to take on Thaxton

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:17

Box Office wrote:Kahn still may be too tired from signing autographs to take on Thaxton

Shouldn't Henessey be working a bit harder on promoting Witter-Harris and spend a bit less time trash talking SN?

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:19

[quote="Phenomenal-Nutrition"]
Its too early for Khan to take Thaxton. Thaxton maybe top10 in the world right now and may have world class power. Throwing in a 12fight 20yo novice against a veteran power puncher of 39fights would be bad management. Thats not to say Khan couldn't beat Thaxton. But its a danger they don't need to take. All top fighters are not risked until they reach the potential big fights. Even Frazier was steered away from Liston and a few other big punchers during his time as a prospect[/quote]

I asusme you can't remember Khan calling out Thaxton then.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:21

Yes Thaxton has laid the cards on the table and impressively he has covered most major sticking points. TV, promotional, money, options etc so Franky boy can't squabble on any of them.

To make the fight he really needs to get onto ITV to put the pressure onto Khan's people. Surely ITV will be tempted by the British champion V Khan on prime time as a viewing winner.

1southpaw · Post by **1southpaw** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:21

khan wont fight thaxton he'll be fighting gavin rees for the world title in december

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:24

Would Khan beat rees, are people writing Gavin off a little to quickly.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:24

You have to hand to HennessySports, they come up with some great press releases. 8)

There are a worse offers out there, and this way Warren can pay Khan both the challengers AND the champions purses. Not bad for a fight Khan has a shout of winning.

If Khan takes it and wins, it will bring him undoubted credibility and go a long way to getting him back into the British boxing fan's good-books.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:24

Hennessy has pulled a nifty one here too. If Thaxton wins then he becomes a big draw and a household name in Britain, Hennessy sports are his promoters so they can't lose.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:27

Hey, everyone's got an agenda.

1southpaw · Post by **1southpaw** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:31

THEBUTCH wrote:You have to hand to HennessySports, they come up with some great press releases. 8)

There are a worse offers out there, and this way Warren can pay Khan both the challengers AND the champions purses. Not bad for a fight Khan has a shout of winning.

If Khan takes it and wins, it will bring him undoubted credibility and go a long way to getting him back into the British boxing fan's good-books.

i think this is all we want ?? so we can see how good khan is even if he loses it aint the end of the world he's still young and would be able to come back

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:40

Right, if Khan not only takes the bout (respect due in itself), but also wins the double header, he will get HUGE respect domestically....no "ifs" or "buts". We'll all know there and then that Amir isn't just pulling our plonkers.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 31 Jul 2007, 09:41

Twinkle Toes wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote: Its too early for Khan to take Thaxton. Thaxton maybe top10 in the world right now and may have world class power. Throwing in a 12fight 20yo novice against a veteran power puncher of 39fights would be bad management. Thats not to say Khan couldn't beat Thaxton. But its a danger they don't need to take. All top fighters are not risked until they reach the potential big fights. Even Frazier was steered away from Liston and a few other big punchers during his time as a prospect
I asusme you can't remember Khan calling out Thaxton then.

Khan would probably take the fight, he doesn't choose his opponents. Frank has to responsibly manage his fighters and do what is best for them.

Why fight Thaxton for a British title when you can fight Rees for a world title?

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jul 2007, 10:00

But Rees is up at WW. If Khan is struggling with feather fisted lightweights at commonwealth level, surely he'd be nailed by one of the guys at 140 pretty quickly.

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 31 Jul 2007, 10:39

Thaxton really makes Kahn look very foolish with this one
Good stroke Jon!

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 31 Jul 2007, 10:47

I'd love to see this fight in October, but realistically it's not going to happen, especially as Khan-Earl looks set for December.

I'd like to see Hennessey/Thaxton target Katsidis, what a fight that would be between 2 relentles BIG punchers. It has fight of the year writ all over it IMO

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 31 Jul 2007, 10:48

Wales wrote:But Rees is up at WW. If Khan is struggling with feather fisted lightweights at commonwealth level, surely he'd be nailed by one of the guys at 140 pretty quickly.

Hes at LWW and he'd win the World Title and vacate most probably. Then again beating Rees and Kotelnik maybe within young Khans capabilities