British Boxing: Murray Regains Title With Thaxton Stoppage

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

On Saturday night at the Altrincham Leisure Centre in Manchester, England, lightweight John Murray won the division's biggest domestic showdown as he stopped Jon Thaxton in the fourth round.

Local hero Murray regained the British title he lost on the scales in June with one of his best performances to date.

Southpaw Thaxton came out strong and was controlling the pace early on but the much younger Mancunian simply waited to get the measure of his rival before going on the attack.

That took place in the third and by the fourth frame, Thaxton could no longer keep up with Murray and was taking a lot of punishment as a result.

After fielding a perfect right hand, Thaxton looked to be heading into bad stretch, prompting a referee stoppage at 2:30 of the fourth.

Murray, 28-0 (16), regains the British lightweight title and will likely be on the hunt for bigger and better things after cementing his status as top man on the domestic scene.

Thaxton drops to 34-11 (19) and the 35 year old former European, British and WBF lightweight champ has now four of last five after posting an 11 bout win streak.

On the undercard, featherweight Kris Hughes, 9-0 (1), stayed perfect with a first round finishing of Dai Davies, 6-11-1 (1), while cruiserweight Bob Ajisafe, 8-1 (2), outpointed Phil Goodwin, 4-4 (1), over six rounds.

Heavyweight Richard Towers, 4-0 (2), stopped Michal Skierniewski, 3-6-1 (1), in two, light middle Phill Fury, 3-0 (1), posted a four round verdict over Louis Byrne, 1-9 (1), and bantam Kid Galahad, 2-0 (0), did the same against Pavels Senkovs, 1-7-1 (1).

Welter Don Randell, 1-0 (0), made his pro debut a happy one by outpointing Abul Taher, 2-1 (0), over four.