The Form Book points to Murray
By Daniel Cann
Photo: Skysport.com
October 2, 2009
(OCT 2) This Saturday sees an eagerly
awaited contest for the vacant British Lightweight title between
undefeated former champion, Manchester’s John Murray and popular former
British and European champion, Norwich’s Jon Thaxton. This match has
been built up over the last few months and despite Thaxton’s recent
mixed set off results still looks an intriguing prospect.
The fight is promoted by Hennessey Sports and held at the Altrincham
Leisure Centre in Cheshire and is being shown live on ITV4. It promises
to be entertaining, maybe even explosive. The pedigree of both boxers is
not in doubt; they are both quality lightweights at championship level.
This is a classic matchup between a red hot prospect in Murray and a
well respected veteran in Thaxton.
If we look at their careers as a whole this is a mouth watering
prospect, but boxing like all sports is all about form. On this basis
things look much brighter for the younger man from Manchester. Despite
losing the British title on the scales last time Murray looked
impressive in dismantling Scott Lawton in six one-sided rounds. There
was an intensity and controlled fury about Murray that night which
probably sent a chill down the spines of most domestic lightweights. Yes
it was unprofessional to arrive late for the weigh-in and not to make
the weight limit but I doubt Murray will make the same error twice.
His fights before Lawton showed a young pressure fighter who slowly
breaks his opponent down. There is something brutally methodical about
Murray’s ring work. He is patient and relentless, his work rate very
impressive. He has looked ordinary as well, labouring against Miguel
Angel Munguia in a points win in the States. But that has probably been
the only contest where he has looked anything less than impressive. He
walked through Lee Meager when winning the British lightweight title the
first time and to say he is determined is to make an understatement.
Despite being dubbed favourite for this fight I doubt Murray will leave
anything to chance. He will want to make a point, not just on the scales
but to serve notice to lightweights across Europe that he has arrived.
He needs to shine and will be aware that he is perfectly poised to do so
in front of a large television audience on Saturday. He is well
respected in the trade but a win against Thaxton will help his stock
further. I do not expect anything but the best John Murray to arrive to
the ring at Altrincham Leisure Centre.
As for Southpaw Thaxton he has paid his dues in a successful nearly
seventeen year professional career that has seen him contest titles at
light-welterweight and lightweight. He has mixed it with the likes of
Ricky Hatton, Eamonn Magee and common opponents with Murray in Lee
Meager and Scott Lawton. He will not be short of experience to call on
for this showdown.
It has not been a good year for ‘Jono’ though as he has lost his
European lightweight title in a closely contested and some might say
controversial points defeat to Anthony Mezaache. No disgrace in that as
the decision could have gone either way. In his last fight prior to this
one Thaxton moved up to welterweight in losing an eight threes to Tom
Glover (who recently lost to John o’Donnell after a brave showing).
There have been many who have said that Thaxton was unwise to fight out
of his weight division. He did look unfocussed that evening, his timing
and accuracy were not what they usually are. Others have pointed to the
Glover loss saying that the writing is on the wall for the proud man
from Norwich, it is time for him to ‘hang ‘em up.’ Even Thaxton’s father
has expressed this view, advising his son not to face Murray.
Now, this is where things get interesting. Yes Thaxton did look poor in
that last fight, yes there is a strong case for him to take a hard look
at his career and where it is going. At 35 he is not a young man in
sporting terms anyway. But, is he really finished? Legendary trainer Cus
D’Amato always contended that every boxer has one last great fight left
in them. Could this be the case with Thaxton? I believe so.
With everyone seemingly pulling against you (even your own family!) and
your back up against the wall the only thing to do is to come out
fighting and this I believe is exactly what Thaxton will do. He has had
time to exorcise his demons in losing to Glover and as said earlier the
Mezaache fight was close. He has had plenty of time also to prepare and
will know all about Murray not just as a fellow professional boxer but
also as a ringside pundit for ITV4.
The big question is will Thaxton be able to execute his strategy? He has
the motivation to prove everyone wrong and also, for the winner of this
contest is a likely fight with Mezaache for the European title. I doubt
either man will overlook their opponent, but that is a very appetising
prospect, especially for Thaxton who would cherish avenging that loss
and winning the European title again. This one really is for all the
marbles.
I would like to make it clear that am not working for the publicity
department of Hennessey Sports or ITV4 but I believe this will be a real
‘cracker’ of a fight. The stakes for both men could not be higher. For
the winner there is a chance of springing onto the European stage and
maybe further. For the loser there will be a lot of soul searching and
rebuilding if it is Murray. Retirement if it is Thaxton. My own feeling
is that Thaxton will duly produce that last ‘great’ fight but I don’t
think it will be quite enough to stop the typhoon that is Murray. The
audience in the arena and watching at home will be treated to a
fantastic display of boxing and defiance, but ultimately I think that
Murray will have too much youth and energy. He will go out on his
shield, but Thaxton will lose either on points or late stoppage in an
un-missable and unforgettable contest. www.danielcann.com
