by James Slater – Fight fans were spoilt for choice this past Saturday night, as there were excellent and ultra-meaningful bouts being fought on both sides of the Atlantic – with two big shows taking place in the UK alone. As such, it was almost impossible to catch all the action. For those fans who missed the European lightweight title fight between defending champ Jon Thaxton and his French challenger Anthony Mezaache, all that can be said is too bad. This fight, that went the full 12-rounds, was a sensational battle..
34-year-old “Jono” lost in the end, by a unanimous points verdict that was deemed somewhat wide – at least two of the three judges had it too wide, giving the challenger his win by four points and by three points, respectively – but he gave his all as he usually does. The action, while more than a little controversial (more on that later), was also top-notch – round ten especially was something to behold, with both men slugging it out toe-to-toe.
Though he was bitterly disappointed to have been given the loss he disagreed with, Thaxton, as reported on EDP24, has vowed to fight on.
The southpaw, now 34-9(19) also remains hopeful that he will get a shot at a world title before he finally quits the game.
“I’m a warrior – the Cinderella story goes on,” Thaxton said. “Look at Amir Khan. He got banged up by [Breidis] Prescott, he’s now got a world title eliminator one fight later. Sometimes things like this can open doors for you. Sometimes you can be too dangerous for your own good. I’ll just see what Mick Hennessey has. Maybe I fought the wrong fight on the night. But that’s life.”
Speaking in more detail about the fight. Thaxton recalled the moment in the very first round that may well have cost him a win. Catching Mezaache with a sharp right hand to the ear, Thaxton sent his man down – only for the challenger to then deliberately spit out his mouthpiece and buy himself precious seconds to recover. We will never know, but maybe, had Thaxton been able to get right back at the Frenchman, he would have finished him off. Certainly, whilst watching on TV Mezaache’s legs looked to have really gone, and at the time he spat out his mouthpiece (for which he was deducted a point) there were still over thirty seconds left on the clock.
Thaxton spoke about the controversial incident.
“The first round I had him out on his feet and he spat his gum-shield out, and it’s the oldest trick in the book,” Thaxton said. “The fight could have been over then. But I think when he felt my power, he kept running away and I can’t see how you can take my title by running away. But he did. I thought I won the fight but the judges think otherwise so you can’t argue.”
Despite the heartbreaking, though hugely entertaining fight going against him, Thaxton says he still has three ambitions to fulfil before he’s ready to walk away.
“I’ve got three ambitions in boxing,” Jon said. “I want my Lonsdale belt, I want to fight in Las Vegas and I want a world title fight. Will I win a world title? Well, it’s a long way off now. Will I fight in Las Vegas? Possibly. Will I win my Lonsdale belt outright? Definitely.
“There’s still a little bit of a journey for the Cinderella Man.”
Though Saturday’s gruelling fight will have taken a lot out of the 34-year-old, it will only be a tough guy that beats him – even now. Good luck is all that can be wished to the warrior who, on Feb. 28th, made us feel privileged to have seen the latest in the number of terrific fights he’s given us.