06.12.06 – Hennessy Sports promoted British Lightweight champion Lee Meager believes that his superior technique will see him overcome Jon Thaxton at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham this Friday. Meager who stopped fellow Hennessy Sports boxer Dave Stewart in six rounds to win the vacant belt in May goes straight in against his mandatory contender live on Sky Sports in what most are seeing as an old-school 50/50 affair..
Thaxton brings a big reputation and plenty of championship experience to the ring, particularly in the weight division above where he took Ricky Hatton the distance.
He began campaigning as a lightweight last April having returned to the ring after a two-year layoff but, despite winning a fringe title, Meager doesn¹t feel he has established himself as a force in the division.
“Thaxton¹s not really fought anyone of any note since moving down,” the 28-year-old said. “He has defended his title a few times, but its a title that doesn’t really mean anything and he hasn¹t fought anyone as good as me. He¹s had a couple of stoppages but it¹s different when you have got someone in there firing back at you.”
Meager – who was born in Salford but now trains in London under Hennessy Sports trainer Robert McCracken also does not feel that Thaxton¹s form from when he competed at light welterweight is a cause for concern.
“He has been beaten every time he has stepped up,² he added. ³The same thing is going to happen to again. He has been around for a while and will comeand have a go, but my technical ability will prove too good.
“Technique overpowers brawling as he has found out in the past. Boxing is all about levels and he has never really cut it when he¹s moved up.”
Meager does plan on stepping up himself once he has completed business on the domestic scene.
“I hope to be a world champion,” said Meager, who follows Manchester United to home and away games. “I believe I can be. It¹s a difficult game – but I work hard and have got the right people around me. I¹m certainly with theright promoter (Mick Hennessy) to get me the opportunities.”
To help achieve his goals, Lee has been learning more by helping out his trainer Rob McCracken in the corner of other Hennessy Sports boxers in recent fights.
“I would like to do more of it when I finish boxing,” he said. “I like to learn about boxing, so the more experience I get the better. Rob is like an encyclopedia.”
Lee lived in Jersey for four years from the age of 18 before moving to the capital to start his boxing career in earnest. He trains under McCracken at the Hennessy Sports team facility, where he has prepared for this first defence and sparred with his last opponent Stewart.
In their British title showdown, Stewart was knocked down in the fourth before being stopped in the sixth, but Meager admitted he found it tough. “³That was hard going, but I was confident that I would get the upper hand in time.”
A OHeavyweight Showdown for the British Lightweight Title¹ takes place at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on Friday 8th December. Tickets priced £35 and £75 are available from Ticketmaster on 0870 060 1795. For more information and the latest bill please visit www.HennessySports.com.