Thaxton - Must win fight

Thaxton: Returning to the ring

People are putting the words former champion in front of my name now and I hate it.

Jon Thaxton
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Former British and European lightweight champion Jon Thaxton is targeting a Norwich double when he makes his return to the ring on July 18th.

Thaxton and fellow Norfolk fighter Danny McIntosh are in action at Bethnal Green as the latter takes on Nathan Cleverly in a battle of undefeated fighters.

"Jono" will be donning the gloves for the first time since suffering a controversial points defeat at the hands of Frenchman Anthony Mezaache in February, when he lines up on the undercard.

Thaxton said: "I know that this next fight is a must-win for me, otherwise my plans to win back the British and European titles will go out the window and I know Danny is just as hungry for success.

Work harder

"I'm training alongside him at the moment at the Ingle's Gym in Sheffield and he is really fired up for his fight with Cleverly.

"He knows just what's at stake and he's been working tremendously hard.

"When something like the British title is on the line it gives you that extra bit of incentive to work even harder in the gym and I believe that dedication will pay off for Danny at the York Hall."

Reigning Commonwealth champion Cleverly is the bookies favourite ahead of the clash, however Thaxton believes McIntosh is in the shape to spring an upset.

"Danny is thriving on being the underdog," revealed Thaxton. "There's no pressure on him because people are already writing him off and he's relishing the chance to prove those people wrong.

"I've seen him up close in the gym and trust me he can really bang and he's got tremendous boxing ability as well so I really fancy him to pull it off."

Sensation

Thaxton has title aspirations of his own and is hoping to use his fight as a warm-up ahead of a British title bout with John Murray or a European title rematch with Mezaache.

"People are putting the words former champion in front of my name now and I hate it," admitted Thaxton.

"I want those titles back and as soon as possible and I believe that as long as I come through on July 18th my next fight should either be for the vacant British lightweight title or a rematch with Mezaache for the European so things are looking up for me right now.

"I just need to make sure that I don't slip up in London."

The York Hall undercard also features unbeaten heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury in his seventh professional outing while Ireland's reigning European Union lightweight champion Andy Murray is also in action.