John Murray Stops Jon Thaxton in Four, Regains Title

Oct 3, 2009 • 12:00 AM ET

By Mark Vester

At the Leisure Centre in Altrincham, Cheshire, John Murray (28-0, 16KOs) stopped Jon Thaxton (34-11, 19KOs) in four rounds to regain the vacant British lightweight title. Murray had been previously stripped of the title for failing to make the lightweight limit against Scott Lawton. Thaxton suffers his fourth loss in his last five fights.

Thaxton was able to stay busy in the first to outwork Murray. The younger fighter came right back in the second to pepper Thaxton with combinations. He continued the pace in the third. Murray was able to land his big right hand often and eventually he used it to hurt Thaxton bad in the fourth round. Thaxton was being tagged against the ropes when referee Howard Foster stopped the fight. After it was stopped, Thaxton and his corner were very uspet. They made complaints of an early stoppage by the ref.