European title shot for Thaxton by Ian McNeilly Feb 21st 2008

British champion Jon Thaxton has got a European title shot against Yuri Romanov, the current champion, on 4th April. The fight will take place in Thaxton's home city of Norwich and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1's Friday Fight Night at 9.30pm. All the whispers that lightweight rival Amir Khan might fight Romanov predictably came to nothing this week when it was announced the Bolton prodigy would box light-punching Martin Kristjansen in an eliminator for the WBO title instead - the day after Thaxton fights Romanov.  A high-profile advertising campaign by Hennessy Sports which aimed to get Khan to fight their man Thaxton failed - or if negotiations did take place between them and Sports Network, they couldn't agree terms - so they have decided to go another route. 33-year-old Thaxton, said: "I'm over the moon to have the opportunity to fight for the prestigious European title, my promoter Mick Hennessy has delivered what he promised and pulled out all the stops to secure this fight for me. "It's going to be one hell of a tough fight, but I'm ready for it, I always keep in great shape but I'm mixing up my training with some great sparring. Khan has avoided fighting me and Romanov, is it because we are both too good for him. "It will be fantastic to fight in front of my home fans again, I always have great support in Norwich and I know they will turn out in their masses to see me add the European belt to my collection. To win this European title fight will open the door for me to challenge for a major world title." Thaxton's promoter Mick Hennessy, obviously trying hard to convey he thought the two men were the best on the continent, said: "This is a brilliant fight between the two best lightweight boxers in Britain and Europe, a shoot out for a classic title to find out who is the best lightweight in Europe. It's so easy to make these big events happen when both teams actually want to fight. I would like to thank Philippe Fondu who worked hard to make this fight happen and Yuri Romanov for accepting the best challenge in Europe." One question, Mick - do you think these two are the best in Europe? Yuri Romanov's manager Philippe Fondu said: "I am happy to say that the European lightweight champion, Yuri 'The Tsar' Romanov and his management team are grateful to Hennessy Sports for giving us the possibility to defend the European title against Jonathan Thaxton, and that, hopefully, the British public will appreciate and respect two highly rated boxers who give the sport the challenge that is now, too often, missing." "Some boxers talk about world title aspirations, but, besides having been given the opportunity to support their claims prefer to avoid a real challenge and choose to select an easy route." "It's never been the case with either Yuri Romanov or Jonathan Thaxton, both of whom never ducked anyone in the ring." Who could they be talking about?

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

Friend name: Friend email: Your name: Your email:   Privacy Statement

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.