All parties want Murray-Thaxton

by Ciaran Baynes , 14 June 2009

John Murray, Jon Thaxton and their promoter Mick Hennessy all remain keen to make a lightweight showdown happen in September.

Murray lost his British title on the scales ahead of his scheduled defence against Scott Lawton on Saturday.

The Mancunian fighter, who insists he does not have a problem making lightweight, was happy with his performance in the ring and is now looking ahead to big fights.

"I've had a lot of criticism, but there's one place where it counts and thats in the ring," Murray said on ITV4.

"It was unprofessional of me to come in half a pound overweight.

"I'm sure it will be me and Jon [Thaxton] in September. Even though I've won its like I've lost, but I'm still chuffed with my performance.

"It was more a lapse I made the weight easier this time than I did the last two times it was just a lapse."

Hennessy is hoping that the British Board of Control who reprimanded Murray for failing to make the weight will allow a British title contest between the recent holder and Thaxton, who himself relinquished his Lonsdale belt so Murray could fight for it last year.

The promoter believes the fight will still have the magnitude of a unification fight even though, with Thaxton losing his European title on a close decision to Anthony Mezaache last time out, neither is a champion at present. 

"When he's on top of his game John is truly world class," Hennessy said.

"Jon Thaxton against John Murray is an absolute blockbuster. For me Jon Thaxton's still the European champion."

As for Thaxton, a pundit on the television contest, he was happy to praise Murray, but insists he will come out on top when they meet.  

"The best fight out there is Jon Thaxton-John Murray," the Norwich fighter said.

"His performance was absolutely brilliant. He just took Scott Lawton apart.

"I can't wait for it. I'm well up for it. There was a tear in my eye when I had to give the belt up. I will hold the British title again."

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