Jon Thaxton feels he has a point to prove in the second defence of his British Lightweight Title against Dave Stewart at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on October 5.

Thaxton is looking forward to facing his fellow Hennessy Sports boxer at the home of British boxing after admitting he was bothered by flu in his first title defence.

Despite stopping Stoke's Scott Lawton in seven rounds in March, Thaxton believes he can do better and has warned Stewart he will be peak condition for him in the Hennessy Sports show which will be televised live by Sky Sports.

"I'm up for this fight more than any other," said Thaxton. "Everything has gone perfect in training and I'm ready to give a better performance than my last one.

"The sparring has gone really well and I haven't had any illness for this one which was the problem last time.

"I reckon I was only 50 per cent of what I should have been for my last fight because I was full of cold.

"My trainer Graham Everett was close to pulling me out before the fight, but I couldn't do it to my fans in Norwich and my promoter Mick Hennessy.

"I wasn't really happy with my performance but under the circumstances I was overjoyed at the end of the fight – but mainly because I was relieved just to get through it because I wasn't completely right."

Thaxton, who was out-pointed by two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton in a bloody battle for the British Light-Welterweight Title in 2000, believes his strength will ensure he stays British champion when he meets Stewart.

London-based Scotsman Stewart was stopped by Lee Meager in a previous British Title shot. Meager then lost to Thaxton in his first defence, but the British champion is not reading too much into recent common opponents.

"I think this could be a great fight but I know my strength is going to tell on the night," said Thaxton. "He's very tall for a lightweight but I faced a tall opponent last time in Scott Lawton and I worked him down like I'm going to Dave.

"Just because Dave got stopped by Lee Meager, and I beat Lee Meager, doesn't mean I should beat him. Styles make fights. Lee was good for me because he is a come-forward fighter, but I think I will have to go looking for Dave."

Hennessy Sports Proudly Present Jon Thaxton vs. Dave Stewart at York Hall, Friday 5 October, 2007. Doors open at 6pm, boxing starts at 6:30pm. Ticket prices Ringside £60 – Reserved, Unreserved £30. For Tickets call the Box Office on: 0870 060 1795, or book via the web: www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Or call Sportlink on 01603 868606.

John Thaxton (Norwich) vs Dave Stewart (Wanstead) 12 x 3 – British Lightweight Title

George Hillyard (Canning Town) vs TBA 8 x 3 - Light Middleweight

Darren Barker (Barnet) vs TBA 6 x 3 Middleweight

Daniel Herdman (Stevenage) vs TBA 6x3 Light Middleweight

Victor Smith (TBA) vs TBA 4x3 Cruiser Weight

Visit www.hennessysports.com for more information

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