by Andrew Harrison live in Altrincham — John Murray prospered amongst friends last night, blowing clean through long-time domestic rival Jon ‘Jono’ Thaxton in Altrincham. In doing so, he wrenched back the British lightweight title which had been stripped from the marauding Mancunian after he had failed to make weight last time out against Scott Lawton.
Murray, who moves to 28-0 (16), was controlled yet full of fire amidst a tinderbox atmosphere, pacing impatiently in the ring as he awaited Thaxton’s arrival to the strains of Frank Sinatra.. The end was indeed near for the Norfolk veteran and after now losing four of his last five, it is hoped that the curtain has finally fallen for this marvellous servant of British boxing.
With trainer Joe Gallagher focussing his man throughout the preliminaries, Murray calmly sized Thaxton up in the first, utilising the opener as a high level reconnaissance mission.
Thaxton, the former European lightweight champion took the round, boxing in small circles and out-hustling his studious opponent with the use of short, quick and flicking punches; Murray though had seen all that he needed to.
The young man began to cook in the second, landing four beautiful right hand shots which sent spray flying off Thaxton’s head. ‘Jono’ fired back bravely, yet despite being highlighted as the puncher going in, the man from Norwich seemed to lack real dig in his punches.
Murray dominated the third round; landing leg stiffening left hooks and right uppercuts as he found his range. Seemingly unable to miss the target, he began to swarm on Thaxton, ramming home heavy right hands to head and body.
The fight was all over in the fourth, Murray landing a crunching right hand which caused Thaxton to visibly sag. As the young man moved in with a follow up barrage, referee Howard Foster called time on proceedings with what looked a somewhat premature stoppage.
On this form, Murray is now ready to move beyond domestic level and a crack at European champion Anthony Mezaache has been mooted whilst he himself mentioned Aussie action man Michael Katsidis. The name the fans called for however and one which reverberated around Altrincham leisure centre was that of long time domestic rival, WBA light welterweight champ, Amir Khan.
If Murray can continue to win as impressively as he did here, they may well get their wish.