Thaxton bags European belt

Thaxton: On the money

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Norwich lightweight Jon Thaxton claimed the European title with a stunning knockout victory in front of his hometown fans at the Showground.

The 34-year-old, who was outclassed by then-champion Yuri Romanov in April, took the vacant belt by stopping Spain's Juan Carlos Diaz Melero in the third round.

Thaxton, who lost British and Commonwealth title shots to Ricky Hatton and Eamonn Magee earlier in the decade, landed a flush right hook to leave Melero requiring oxygen.

The switch-hitter looked sharp from the outset and landed quality shots in the opening round, opening a cut above the right eye of the Spaniard, whose only previous loss was also to Romanov two years ago.

The European appeared to be hindered by a left knee that was heavily strapped and he left himself open to a big shot from Thaxton after a furious exchange, and the likeable East-Anglilan did not let his supporters down.

"After the first round, I thought 'I am going to get him'," the told ITV4. "I am ecstatic and very proud of myself and my team.

"Since I was eight years old, I have had an ambition to be world champion. I will fight anyone."

Hide back in business

Herbie Hide made a successful return to the ring on these shores when opponent Aleksejs Kosobokovs was pulled out before the fourth round earlier on the card.

The 'Dancing Destroyer', who held the WBO heavyweight title 10 years ago and went in with the likes of Vitali Klitschko, Tony Tucker and Riddick Bowe, looked in good shape in his first appearance in Britain since 2004.

And he proved far too sharp for the Latvian, who looked out of his depth as Hide moved a small step closer to a shot at the world cruiserweight title that he craves.

Hide was swiftly onto the attack and landed several crisp straight rights as Kosobokovs covered up, barely throwing a punch in the opening session as the home favourite dominated.

Kosobokovs, known as a durable type having been stopped only once despite nine defeats in a 21-fight career, continued in similar vein in the second but when he did go on the attack Hide sent him to the canvas with a short right hand.

The 30-year-old made the count with ease but Hide, who has been plying his trade in Europe for the last 18 months since returning to boxing, was all over his former sparring partner in the third and dropped him twice more with further right hands.

Kosobokovs didn't appear to fancy much more at the end of the third, turning away from Hide claiming a low blow, and his corner pulled him out before the start of the fourth to hand the Norwich fighter his 10th successive win.