Jon Thaxton is determined to shake of his tag of 'former British and European champion' by reclaiming both belts.
British and European title ambitions for 34-year-old
Jon Thaxton is determined to shake of his tag of 'former British and European champion' by reclaiming both belts.
Thaxton relinquished the British lightweight title after two successful defences to challenge for European honours.
And although he lost to Yuri Romanov in his first tilt at the title, he beat Juan Carlos Diaz Melero to become the No.1 lightweight in Europe.
However, Thaxton's joy was shortlived as he lost the crown in his first defence against Frenchman Anthony Mezaache in February.
Now the Norwich-born fighter is aiming to get the straps back, starting with the Lonsdale belt. The British title is currently vacant after John Murray was stripped of the belt for failing to make the weight for his fight with Scott Lawton.
But Thaxton is hoping the British Boxing Board of Control will nominate Murray as his co-challenger for the title.
"It's up to the Board who they match with me for the vacant title but I've no problem getting it on with anyone in the country," said Thaxton, who will have a tune-up fight on July 18 at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.
Experience
"I personally hope it will be John Murray. That's the fight I want. He's the unbeaten, young up and coming guy and I know me and him in the same boxing ring will be one hell of a fight.
"It's one of those fights that will have people split down the middle but I believe I have the style, the experience and the power to defeat him.
"Ever since I turned pro as an 18 year old it's been an ambition of mine to win a Lonsdale belt outright and I'm just one win from that. It took me 13 years and three attempts to win it for the first time but I never gave up hope and now I want to win it for keeps.
"That would be a tremendous achievement and it's something I would treasure. I want that belt on my mantelpiece and its one thing that's really driving me on now."
Should Thaxton reclaim the domestic title, he will then turn his attentions to the European belt - with the 34-year-old still believing that he beat Mezaache in their first fight.
"I thought I won that fight and a lot of people agreed with me but unfortunately the three judges saw it the other way and they are the people that matter," said Thaxton.
"I should have had him out of there in the first round when I had him down but he spat out his gum shield and bought himself some time that way. I'm a sporting guy but that for me wasn't playing by the rules.
"It was a bitter pill to swallow then and it still is now but you have to move on. I got up the day after the fight and thought maybe that's it for me but by the time the next morning had come around I knew I wanted that title back."
