Boxing Info: Jon Thaxton – Acelino “Popo’ Freitas

Norwich slugger Jon Thaxton is poised to launch an audacious assault against one of the world’s best fighters. Fight Academy’s Dennis Hobson is in talks to secure Thaxton a WBO lightweight title shot at feared Brazilian puncher Acelino “Popo’ Freitas in what would be a massive opportunity for the British fighter.

Hobson and Freitas’ promoter Art Pelullo, along with Robert Waterman, are co-promoters for Ricky Hatton and there is a chance Freitas v Thaxton could appear on the Hitman’s undercard in America on December 9.

“Actually, Jon had the front to ask me if I could get the Freitas fight for him,” laughed Hobson. “But I told him that I’d already been speaking to Artie about the fight even before he suggested it. Artie is happy to make the fight, be it on the Hatton show or early in the New Year, and I think it is a winnable fight for Jon.”

A two division champion Freitas, 38-1 (32KOs), who as popular in his native Brazil as any of Brazil’s national soccer heroes, has lost only once in a 10 year career which has seen him win four world title belts.

However, Thaxton, 30-7 (16KOs), is coming off an enormously impressive win over the highly rated and previously undefeated Jorge Daniel Miranda in Sheffield May 13. He believes he can pull off the upset.

Thaxton said: “Freitas used to be all about pressure and power but now he’s fighting off the back foot and I haven’t been impressed with him over the last few years. He’s changed his style into one which I can take advantage of with my pressure and physical strength. Remember, I went 12 hard rounds with Ricky Hatton, who is now the welterweight champion, and Freitas is really a super-featherweight fighting at lightweight. I think Freitas will find out against me that size really does matter.”

Meanwhile, Thaxton has finally been nominated to fight for the British Title but champion Lee Meager’s promoter Mick Hennessey wasted no time in complaining to the British Boxing Board that his man had not yet enjoyed the usual six months afforded champions before facing mandatory obligations. Therefore, the fight may not happen until January 2007.

“I think Meager is a good fighter and me against him would be an exciting fight, but I don’t think he’s in my class.” Thaxton said. “I just hope Meager doesn’t do what (former English Champion) Danny Hunt did and give up his belt rather than fight me.”

Hobson added: “Ideally, we’ve love for Jon to go over to America this winter and represent this country as the British Lightweight Champion. But, belt or no belt, I believe Jon has a legitimate claim as the best lightweight in Britain anyway.

“Thaxton can upset anybody in the world. He’s the British Glen Johnson, he’s used his disappointments and near-misses as motivation in the gym and he’s getting better and better with age. He’s gone around the block a few times but he’s got the ambition and enthusiasm of a top amateur prospect just turning pro and Fight Academy can match that ambition and enthusiasm by delivering top title fights.”