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The proposed match-up between Norwich's British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton and Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan has moved a step closer after the British Boxing Board of Control named Khan as the mandatory challenger.
Purse bids for the Thaxton-Khan fight have to be submitted by Wednesday, January 9 and the contest is due to take place by the end of April.
Thaxton said: “Khan has been nominated. I want to fight, he's been calling me out saying he is the best and he wants to fight the best, so if the fight takes place let's see who is the best.”
The Norwich star remained cautious, however, adding: “I've had so many people pull out on me. Amir Khan has been made the mandatory challenger so I just hope he does not pull out.”
If Thaxton's promoters, Hennessy Sports, win the bid, there is a chance the fight could go ahead in Norwich. But there are few venues big enough to stage a fight of such magnitude, unless Norwich City's Carrow Road ground proved a viable option.
However, if Khan's promoter, Frank Warren's Sports Network, were successful, they would be in control of when, where - and possibly if - the fight takes place.
Khan destroyed his latest opponent, former British champion Graham Earl, in the first round last weekend, but that performance has not shaken Thaxton's belief that he could beat the Bolton puncher.
Neil Featherby, who manages Thaxton along with John Ingle, said: “Jon does not have a problem with who he fights. He is a proud champion who wants to win the belt outright. All he will do is get ready and be well and truly prepared.
“I know Graham Earl well and I felt sorry for him. He wanted the fight and he genuinely believed he could win, but he got caught with a big punch that would have stopped most people.
“You have to say Amir Khan is a fantastic boxer and, like Jon, he can punch. But if he gets in the ring with Jon it will certainly be Khan's toughest test yet. He has not boxed anyone of Jon's calibre - if Jon catches you, it's likely you are going down.”
Khan is has a fight coming up in February, the opponent is expected to be Yuri Romanov, the 7th ranked lightweight in the world according to the Ring Magazine.
Purse bids for the Thaxton-Khan fight have to be submitted by Wednesday, January 9 and the contest is due to take place by the end of April.
Thaxton said: “Khan has been nominated. I want to fight, he's been calling me out saying he is the best and he wants to fight the best, so if the fight takes place let's see who is the best.”
The Norwich star remained cautious, however, adding: “I've had so many people pull out on me. Amir Khan has been made the mandatory challenger so I just hope he does not pull out.”
If Thaxton's promoters, Hennessy Sports, win the bid, there is a chance the fight could go ahead in Norwich. But there are few venues big enough to stage a fight of such magnitude, unless Norwich City's Carrow Road ground proved a viable option.
However, if Khan's promoter, Frank Warren's Sports Network, were successful, they would be in control of when, where - and possibly if - the fight takes place.
Khan destroyed his latest opponent, former British champion Graham Earl, in the first round last weekend, but that performance has not shaken Thaxton's belief that he could beat the Bolton puncher.
Neil Featherby, who manages Thaxton along with John Ingle, said: “Jon does not have a problem with who he fights. He is a proud champion who wants to win the belt outright. All he will do is get ready and be well and truly prepared.
“I know Graham Earl well and I felt sorry for him. He wanted the fight and he genuinely believed he could win, but he got caught with a big punch that would have stopped most people.
“You have to say Amir Khan is a fantastic boxer and, like Jon, he can punch. But if he gets in the ring with Jon it will certainly be Khan's toughest test yet. He has not boxed anyone of Jon's calibre - if Jon catches you, it's likely you are going down.”
Khan is has a fight coming up in February, the opponent is expected to be Yuri Romanov, the 7th ranked lightweight in the world according to the Ring Magazine.
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