Last night at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre, in Dagenham, England Jon Thaxton challenged reigning champion Lee Meager for the British Lightweight Title on a Hennessy Sports promotion.

From Salford, Lee "Macho Man" Meager was making the first defense of his title and was escorted in to the ring by his trainer, former Commonwealth Middleweight titlist Robert McCracken. Current British and Commonwealth Super Middle Champion Carl Froch is in Meager's corner, returning the favor when Lee was in Froch's corner just two weeks ago.

Jon "Jono" Thaxton, a seasoned southpaw from Norwich, enters the ring with his trainer Brendan Ingle, who is joined by WBC Light Welter Champion Junior Witter in Thaxton's corner. It's apparent right away that Thaxton looks much bigger than Meager.

There’s a stern stare from Thaxton as he faces Meager for referee Ian John Lewis’s instructions before the fight.

Once the action begins, it's a steady first round but Thaxton looks to be controlling the fight from the start. The second frame sees Thaxton try to start the round early by throwing a shot behind the referee.Ian John Lewis was not impressed and tells him off. Seconds later, Thaxton launches a barrage of punches with Meager having to cover up. Last minute of the round and Meager has some blood around his right brow. It’s a good round for Thaxton who lands solid punches.

During the first half minute of the third, Meager again is rocked by a right hand followed by a left from Thaxton. The challenger looks confident and is the busier of the two fighters.
In the fourth round, Meager`seems to settle down and is busier, landing some right hands and left jabs, although he does get caught in the last few seconds of the round with another good punch from Thaxton.

Round five sees an uppercut from Thaxton that rocks Meager's head back and the champion is marked under the left eye as well now. By the sixth, Thaxton is cut under and above the right eye from a punch. With 40 seconds to go, Thaxton launches a big right which makes Meager stumble off balance but still he doesn't go down. It’s a bad gaping cut for Jon Thaxton and Dominic Ingle goes to work in his corner.

In the seventh, Meager lands a low blow and apologises, but Thaxton doesn't seem
phased and carries on. Carl Froch is on his feet ringside in the ninth, shouting to Lee Meager. Meager throws punches wildly while Thaxton keeps up the pace, bouncing around the canvas. Meager's gumshield flies out after a shot from Thaxton and the referee gives him chance to retrieve it.

During round 10, Meager’s head rocks back a number of times as Thaxton lands
punch after punch. In the first 20 seconds of round 12, Meager is knocked down from a barrage of shots. He falls back on his backside but jumps back up straight away but
he“s looking tired. The remainder of the round sees Jon Thaxton keeping up the workrate, sensing the desperation from Meager.

Jon Thaxton, 31-7 (16), defeats Lee Meager, 20-2-1 (7), by unanimous decision and becomes the new British Lightweight Champion. After two failed attempts to win a British title (at light welter) Thaxton was emotional as he talked afterwards and said he was proud of himself. He also spoke of Meager's solid chin.

Undefeated lightweight sensation John Murray won his six round fight against Billy Smith by a score of 59-56. Afterwards, Murray said that he was looking forward to a busier year in 2007.

Click to read more boxing articles by Jane Warburton

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