Hennessy Boxing: Confident Thaxton Relishing European Title Clash Saturday

Jon Thaxton believes victory over Juan Carlos Diaz Melero on Saturday will put him in contention for the World Lightweight title.

Norwich’s former British champion faces Juan Carlos Diaz Melero of Spain for the vacant European Lightweight title at the Norfolk Showground as top of the bill on the Hennessy Sport’s show live on ITV4 ‘Big Fight Live.

Jono was stopped halfway through his fight with Yuri Romanov of Russia, which was also for the European Lightweight title, in April but promoter Mick Hennessy has secured a second opportunity for him.

Thaxton says victory over former European champion Melero will propel him towards a world title shot. “I want to be a world champion, or at least fight for a world title, and still believe I can do it,” he said. “I always believe I can win a fight, whether it’s fighting Melero, Amir Khan or even Romanov again.

“Winning this title could launch me on to the world title scene. I have been a pro 16 years and I deserve a lucky break and I could get a world title being European champion.

“I’m 34 – only just – and you have got the likes of Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor and Juan Manuel Marquez who are all older than me and at the top of my division.

“Campbell is the world champion with three world titles and he is 37. Casamayor is also 37 and he has just been beaten by Marquez, who seems to be getting better and he is 35. So when I see them doing it I think to myself why I can’t do the same. I’ve been a pro a long time and have got a lot of experience and ring knowledge.

“There’s going to be a big audience on ITV4 and to be fighting in Norwich is such a big boost for me. Both those factors will give me an edge, but I will block out all the fans and the cameras on the night.

“Melero had Romanov down before Romanov came back to stop him, but Romanov never put me down. Melero is a very capable boxer and he’s adaptable, but we’ve prepared for every situation.”