Lightweight RBR Double-Header - Thaxton / Khan

[superheavyrhun]

Ok guys, we've not had too much going on in British boxing over the past couple of weeks, and when there has been I've been working late shifts so I wasn't able to RBR them, but this weekend I finish at 4.30pm and am all free till Monday. A rare luxury since I told my boss I'm skint and need the overtime....

Anyhow, first up on Friday we have Jon Thaxton in the biggest fight of his career for the European title against Yuri Romanov. On Saturday we have Thaxton's long-time verbal sparring partner Amir Khan in a WBO Lightweight Title eliminator against Martin Kristijansen.

So firstly, Yuri Romanov (20-2, 13KOs) is travelling to the East End of London to make the third defence of his European title, and will probably look for a better result than in his last visit in 2006, where he was beaten by Graham Earl narrowly. After two fights in his homeland of Belarus, the orthodox 25-year old will be a hard-hitting opponent to one of the biggest British hitters, Jon Thaxton.

Thaxton (33-7, 18KOs) will be the underdog for this one, with the domestic rivalry between him and Khan undermining the media coverage, and possibly his own preparations for this clash. Eight years, and eighteen fights the senior of Romanov, Thaxton is a banger himself, and is well known for bringing bucketfuls of heart and guts to his bouts, though perhaps not the slickest boxer of all. Although the underdog, Thaxton will have a good following behind him, and will hopefully have brought down plenty of fans from Norfolk to the East end, and can put in a good shift to claim the European title, to further tempt Amir Khan.

[superheavyrhun]

And on Saturday night, we have the most-hyped lightweight in Britain, Frank Warren's golden boy Amir Khan facing the opponent he was originally slated to meet back in February, Martin Kristijansen.

Khan (16-0, 12KOs) showed last time out that he could outbox, and outwork a fighter who has performed and won on world title level against late replacement Gairy St Clair, and will have further boosted his confidence going into this WBO title eliminator. The Bolton slickster has been becoming stronger and stronger as a lightweight, and has shown good quality recently since his only major scare against Willie Limond. Whilst the doubts still linger about Khan's chin, it shouldn't be a problem in this fight, with Kristijansen not packing an obvious punch. Khan is a massive favourite to win this bout, and get to be the mandatory for the WBO title, currently held by unified champ Nate Campbell.

Martin Kristjansen (19-1-3, 5KOs) is the more unheralded and huge underdog for this bout, and with only 5KOs will have to spring a huge surprise in order to even trouble Khan, whose chin seems to be the sole weakness in the Olympic medallists' armoury so far. Kristijansen has challenged for the European title, travelling to Italy to lose on points to Stefano Zoff, and also has draws in his homeland, which cast further doubt on his record. However, he'll have a puncher's chance, and if he can upset the Khan bandwagon, it will be a huge feather for his cap, and a massive shock.

[No Contest]

This qualifies as an good thread I hope, you have been repped.

[No Contest]

I think Thaxton has a great chance to win that fight, I would almost make it a pick-em fight. Romanov is a bit of an unknown to me but looking at his record off boxrec, its pretty padded and the loss to Earl doesn't scream dangerous.

[Wright]

Think Romanov will win. The first time I saw Thaxton was against Hatton, and Hatton battered him but couldn't put him down. After that, I decided that Thaxton would never be knocked out. He is so tough. Just think Romanov will be too sharp for him. As for Khan, I wasn't a fan originally, but I think he might be special.

[Kev]

The Thaxton fight should be interesting. Personally I imagine he'll get beat, probably over 12 rounds.

Don't know anything whatsoever about Kristjansen but I'll go with a comfortable Khan win, although if this kid is a decent boxer Khan may be happy to take it the distance