Boxing Preview: Lee Meager – John Thaxton

By Ben Lettman

British Lightweight Champion Lee Meager and challenger John Thaxton successfully made weight yesterday for their much anticipated clash, which takes place tonight at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England.

Meager, 20-1-1 (7), defends his title against the experienced Thaxton, 30-7 (16), who lost to world champion Ricky Hatton on points back in October 2000 at light welterweight but now competes in the lightweight division where he has not been beaten in almost four years.

Both fighters weighed exactly 9st 8lbs (134 lb) The customary pre-fight stare down took place but only to satisfy the Sky Sports cameras. You could tell that they both had a tremendous amount of respect for one another and that they are two model professionals. Promoter Mick Hennessy was in attendance, overseeing proceedings.

“First of all I would like to say this is one of the best matches of the year bar none,” said Hennessy. “An incredible 50/50 affair. When this fight was being made I think most people were leaning towards John Thaxton but the thing about Lee Meager is that he was never 100 per cent for a fight until he fought Dave Stewart. That was the first time he did everything properly before a fight and now I believe he has stepped up a gear.

“He is in the best shape of his life. Thaxton is also in incredible shape. His record speaks for itself. John has been in the ring with Ricky Hatton and he gave a great account of himself. It is a tremendous fight but I feel that Lee Meager has got the better ability, he is a classier boxer, he has a better defence and he is a really tough kid. Make no mistake about it. Meager has came through the hard way, he had had a long apprenticeship and he wants this bad.

“He can punch too. People don’t realise what a good puncher is he is. Lee has quick hands, he’s a winning combination puncher and he can punch. He’s never been stopped before either.”

Also on the card is the return of Welsh power puncher Paul Samuels, 17-2-2 (10), who has moved up to middleweight. Samuels is making his comeback after being out of the ring for over three years. He has been in thrilling wars with talented fighters such as Richard Williams and Wayne Alexander respectively.

“It is good to be back,” said the Newport native. “This is my first crack at middleweight but I walk around as a super middleweight so I would not mind fighting at super middleweight or middleweight.”

When asked who he would like to fight next, Samuels replied: “I’ll see what options are open at middleweight, providing I get the job done tomorrow. Who knows?”

With a smile on his face, Samuels then seemed to remember something. He added: “Ah. Here’s me forgetting all ready. Richard Williams. Of course I would want a rematch. He’s a beautiful guy and an excellent sportsman. That fight is a must. We have to get it on again providing he gets through (Howard) Eastman, which I think he will. Then it would be another exciting fight between me and him.”

But before Samuels thinks about fighting Richard Williams for a third time he has to beat Barnet’s Darren Barker, 13-0 (8), tonight.

Courtesy www.frankmaloney.com