Norwich Delight - Thaxton's Crowning Glory
Published October 6, 2008 by Martin Bean
Jon Thaxton produced the performance and punch of his career as he won the European Lightweight Title in simply stunning fashion, sending all of his devoted fans home delighted after an excellent night’s boxing at the Norfolk Fairgrounds in Jon’s hometown of Norwich.
Thaxton faced a formidable opponent in Juan Carlos Diaz Melero, who brought a 36-1 record to the ring with his only loss to the excellent Yuri Romanov, destroyer of Thaxton earlier this year.
From the first bell, Thaxton was always in control, taking centre of the ring and attacking in sharp, powerful bursts. Melero looked to be a good boxer and was rangy but he just couldn’t find any rhythm—Thaxton constantly switched from orthodox to southpaw and Melero just couldn’t fathom where the punches were coming from.
Despite Thaxton always being in control, the ending was sudden—both boxers were in close during the third round when Thaxton unleashed a fabulous right hook, leaving Melero out for the count.
After the fight Thaxton was keen to tell all in attendance that Amir Khan would’ve suffered the same fate as Melero, had he responded to Thaxton’s many overtures to fight the Bolton man.
I was delighted to see a good honest pro get rewards for a tough career—Thaxton’s been in some good battles over the years with tough opponents, including the aforementioned Romanov and of course, Britain’s own superstar in Ricky Hatton.
Talks of a world crown by promoter Mick Hennessey are taking things a step too far in this tough lightweight division but for now, Thaxton should enjoy his crowning glory—he is the new European Lightweight Champion.
The undercard saw some good wins for Hennessey’s boxers in what is an ever improving stable of fighters.
At Cruiserweight Herbie Hide notched a 3rd round retirement win over Alekseis Kosobokovs and there is now talk of a final eliminator against France’s John Marc Mormeck in what would be an excellent encounter. Hide still carries power and hand speed so will be a handful for anyone in this division.
John O’Donnell was in good form beating another European opponent in Sergejs Savrinovics in a fourth round retirement—next up for O’Donnell is a superb British Welterweight Title Eliminator against the dangerous puncher, Young Mutley.
Finally, hometown boy Danny McIntosh took his record to 8-0 as he overcame an extremely slow start to stop Steve Spartacus in five rounds. McIntosh is the new English Light Heavyweight Champion but has some improvement to make before he can consider looking for the British Title.
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