Thaxton kicks off exciting new ITV series by British Boxing Sep 24th 2008

Jon Thaxton is promising to show why he can still become a genuine world title contender when he boxes Juan Carlos Diaz Melero for the vacant European lightweight title at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich on Saturday, 4th October 2008. The former British champion last fought in a European title fight and after a courageous effort the Norwich boxer was stopped by a nasty cut over his right eye that needed 12 stitches against world top ten ranked Yuri Romanov at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London. Six months on from his last European challenge, promoter Mick Hennessy has presented Thaxton with another chance to win the coveted crown, this time in his home city and live on ITV4. Melero (36-1, Spain) gave Romanov a scare when he floored the Belarusian before being stopped himself in the third round two years ago. Jono is aware of Melero's danger but is confident he will have an answer to anything his co-challenger brings and get the win to gatecrash the world title scene next year. "Damn right, I have got a point to prove against Melero," said Thaxton (33-8), who made two defences of his British title before relinquishing it earlier this year. "I hate getting beaten and am determined to put it right this time in front of my home fans in Norwich and in front of a big TV audience on ITV4. "I got off to a pretty bad start, but by the fourth or fifth rounds I felt like I was coming into my own against Romanov. The corner stopped the fight because of the cut and at the time I was upset about it, but of course it was the right thing to do. "Now I've got a second chance I intend to take it because you don't get many second chances in life. I've left no stone unturned for this fight and that's why I've got the likes of Junior Witter in for sparring. "I've got a point to prove and I will prove it. Forget about last time – I was slow and I had a bad night. But this one will be different. "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." The 'Let's Be Having You' show is the first promotion of the new season from Hennessy Sports, whose shows will now be screened by ITV Sport.

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