Jon Thaxton: “Amir Khan isn’t ready’ – Pickering takes first step back

Jon Thaxton has warned Amir Khan that he is a long way from challenging for his British Lightweight Title.

The popular Norwich boxer makes the first defence of the title he won by out-pointing Lee Meager in a gruelling clash last December at the prestigious Norfolk Showground on Friday March 16 live on Sky Sports.

The Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com “Showdowns at the Showground” event also features Esham Pickering, who attempts to get his career back on track by winning back the British Super-Bantamweight Title against Marc Callaghan.

Whilst Thaxton does feel that Khan has potential, he insists he is not ready for a domestic title challenge yet.

“If Amir fights me, he will not beat me,” said Thaxton. “I would take him out in the latter rounds or I might stop him earlier with a body punch.

“I have got where I have got at this game through hard work. Experience is important, and I have got plenty of that. I would use it all and it would be too much for him.

“We don’t know yet if he can take a shot… can he get caught and come back? I would definitely catch him. I don’t care who I fight; I always believe I will win.”

One opponent Thaxton would like right now is Michael Katsidis. Thaxton praised both Luton’s Graham Earl and Australian Katsidis for their recent encounter for the WBO Interim Lightweight Title, and is eager to face Katsidis in the future.

He said: “I would love to fight Katsidis. Graham Earl fought out of his skin to knock him down but if you are going to stand with a puncher you are going to get hit, and he did.

“He didn’t move and he made Katsidis look better than he was, but full respect to him for a good fight.”

Newark’s former European king Esham Pickering insists he can still be a force at world title level – once he wins back the British super-bantamweight title on Friday.

Pickering has been beaten by Hartlepool’s Michael Hunter, (controversially on points), and Irishman Bernard Dunne, but he claims his time will come once he beats Essex boy Marc Callaghan for the domestic belt.

He said: “I believe a real champion comes through the hard way and winning the British title is the first step back on the ladder for me to bigger and better things.

“A lot of people have written me off because I have been beaten at European level, but it wasn’t like I was out of my depth. I would love to get revenge over those two.”

Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com Proudly Present
The Showdowns @ The Showground
Friday 16th March 2007
The Norfolk Showground

Tickets priced £25, £35, £50 and £100 available on 01603 868 606.

12×3 British Lightweight Championship
Jon Thaxton vs. Scott Lawton
(Norwich) (Stoke)

12×3 British Super Bantamweight Championship
Esham Pickering vs. Marc Callaghan
(Newark) (Barking)

6×3 Heavyweight
Sam Sexton vs. Tony Booth
(Norwich) (Hull)

6×3 Light Heavyweight
Danny McIntosh vs.Rob Burton
(Norwich) (Barnsley)

4×3 Light Heavyweight
Paul Davis vs. Omid Burzo
(Norwich) (Tehran via Sheffield)

4×3 Light Welterweight
Leonard Lothian vs. Matthew Martin Lewis
(Northampton) (Colchester)

4×3 Lightweight
Lee Purdey vs. John Baguley
(Colchester) (Sheffield)