Daniel Cann

Vacant British Lightweight Title

Altrincham Sports Centre

3 October 2009

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.