John Murray v Jon Thaxton
Vacant British Lightweight Title
Altrincham Sports Centrez
By Daniel Cann
October 3, 2009
Photo of Murray: Boxrec
(OCT 3) In front of a sell out crowd at
the Altrincham Sports Centre in a Hennessey Sports Promotion
Manchester’s John Murray served notice that he is a major force in the
lightweight division. Opposing him was the respected veteran and former
champion Jon ‘Jono’ Thaxton. Before hostilities commenced there was
mutual respect from both men, a refreshing change from the ‘trash
talking’ most boxers seem to engage in these days. Both fighters exuded
a ‘no-nonsense’ professionalism as they each made their way to the ring.
In a charged atmosphere the packed arena eagerly awaited the start of
what promised to be a fight to remember. After referee Howard Foster
finished dispensing with his ring instructions the fighters returned to
their corners fired up and ready to go. For Thaxton this was his last
chance to win the Lonsdale belt outright and cap a long and memorable
career with a fantastic win. For Murray it was all about serving notice
that he is the number one lightweight in this country, possibly securing
a shot at the European title.
With the stakes so high the boxers came out cautiously at the sound of
the first bell. They both had respect for each other’s power. Thaxton
fired a few tentative jabs whilst Murray took a peek at his opponents
work from behind a high guard. The round continued in this fashion with
not much at all coming from Murray while Thaxton collected points for
his solid work, moving, jabbing and hooking well. Murray missed Thaxton
with a right, but there was a calm unhurried feel to his work.
Later in the round the referee warned them both about their heads as
they worked in close. Thaxton looked very positive landing a fast left.
Murray replied with a good left hook of his own. Thaxton showed decent
hand-speed as he landed another right hook to close what was a very good
opening round for the visiting boxer.
The second saw more of the same with Thaxton moving well and jabbing. It
was a false dawn as suddenly Murray came out of his shell and landed two
good overhand rights over the Norwich man’s guard rocking him. Murray
rocked Thaxton again and there was no question of who the stronger man
was as Thaxton backed off trying to regroup. Murray showed experience
and class as he did not rush in. He remained calm where other less
seasoned professionals would perhaps be over eager.
Murray landed another cracking left hook that had Thaxton bobbing,
ducking and rolling, clearly distressed. With the vociferous and
passionate crowd baying for blood Murray landed another classy left
hook. A right hook effortlessly found the target. Thaxton managed to
land a right of his own but it was noticeable that his punches had no
effect on the younger man, whereas nearly every time Murray landed
Thaxton’s legs stiffened or he wobbled.
Murray sent Thaxton back with more lefts and rights as he really stepped
up a gear. Thaxton did have success with a right uppercut and went to
the body and head, but his shots just bounced off. Murray responded with
some hurtful hooks sending spray from the shaven skulled Thaxton as they
elected to stand and trade. A solid left from Murray found the target at
the bell. He had clearly won the second. If the first round was his
scouting report then the second was his ambush.
The third round saw the relentless Murray pressing forward working from
a high guard. Thaxton in contrast looked loose, his hands low as he
tried to present an elusive target. He was still getting picked off for
his trouble however. Both men were having success but Murray looked so
much stronger already.
As Thaxton tried to get his jab going there was a poise and patience
about Murray’s work that most boxers would find unnerving. He looked so
calm in there. Suddenly Murray exploded into action once more as he
clearly hurt Thaxton with a well timed right hook. Another fantastic
right hook crashed against the side of Thaxton’s head, Murray could not
miss him with it. Murray showed patience again as he calmly picked his
shots and bided his time. Perhaps he was wary of Thaxton’s power, but he
already looked so in control and whenever he chose to open up had his
opponent in trouble.
Thaxton gamely tried to come back and make a fight of it but he kept
getting nailed by fast, painful accurate looking punches. Murray showed
who was boss as he landed a great uppercut in the closing seconds.
Murray was getting through too often and it did not look good for
Thaxton.
At the start of the fourth there was the look of the hunter about
Murray. Thaxton circled and probed with the jab but there was not much
venom behind his punches. Murray was using his jab now, looking to work
off it. A right uppercut and left hook combination landed from Murray as
he carefully picked his shots. All the quality work was coming from the
Mancunian.
A right hook – left hook combination also found their mark and a great
right visibly shook Thaxton who was now fighting open mouthed and
clearly showing signs of distress. Thaxton’s work was generally falling
short of the mark, he was just probing with the jab. Once again Murray
exploded from behind his tight guard as a big right landed high on
Thaxton’s temple, sending him staggering back to the ropes where Murray
looked to unload some more heavy bombs. With Thaxton clearly in big
trouble referee Foster jumped in and stopped it at 2 minutes and 30
seconds of the round gone.
Thaxton looked incredulous and to some the stoppage may have looked
premature. But for most (myself included) it was a compassionate and
sensible intervention from the third man. Thaxton was just getting a
working over and there was no way back for the brave fighter from
Norwich. Murray just simply had his measure. He was younger and
stronger. Thaxton found himself being out-boxed and ultimately
outgunned. It was a fantastic clinical finish from Murray who looked
superb in dismantling such a respected fighter in Thaxton.
Thaxton said before the fight that he had promised his wife that it
would be his last and I hope he sticks with that decision. He has
nothing to prove with a great career mixing it with quality fighters
over seventeen years. To continue would only mean more pain and
dejection which he does not deserve.
For Murray the only way is up! He showed a lot of maturity and a
calmness and patience that greatly impressed me. Fights for European and
even World honours cannot be too far away.
