Thaxton's open letter to Simon Block.

If you strictly speak of whats right then yes I agree, Khan should've fought Thaxton in an ideal world. But, all sancationing bodies only sometimes enforce mandatories and more often they dont. The parties can blame each other...it happens. I do feel bad for Thaxton.

But, in terms of development I think Thaxton would be step back unless Thaxton fights and beats a world level operator. Perhaps you need to rewatch but Thaxton and Lawton was almost even, untill the cut over Lawtons eye resulted in the stoppage.

Say IF Khan was to fight Thaxton next, I bet almost everyone complaining about Thaxton fight not happening will be the ones complaining about how Warren must've seen weakness and how Thaxton was picked only because he is old and how he struggled against Lawton and Stewart. Those are facts that will be brought out by so called critics only after the fight is made with Khan.

 

If you read my posts again you will see that it wasn't the actual performance I was comparing - it was the fact they are two fighters who have been on the brink of defeat yet managed to turn fights around to their advantage.

I don't agree Lawton had Thaxton in what I'd call serious trouble before he was cut - it was a good performance by Lawton but Thaxton always looked the stronger of the two to me. Eventhough Lawton got through with plenty of counters his punches didn't really seem to have that much effect on Thaxton compared to the ones Thaxton was landing.

I do agree that Khan v Lawton was a no contest fight.

 

The point is if you withdraw as a mandatory surely you should face the consequences i.e being stripped of your title as the rules state. What appears to have happened in this case is that Khan has managed to avoid Thaxton by withdrawing as mandatory challenger yet he has been allowed to keep the commonwealth title and has since gone on to make a further voluntary defence against St Clair eventhough Thaxton is the mandatory for it.

I don't agree that Thaxton would be a step back in terms of development for Khan. Surely Thaxton presents a different sort of challenge than that Khan has faced before - he can punch and probably pressure Khan more than some of his recent opponents. He is also a big lightweight which would enable us to judge Khan against someone of similar size.

Perhaps I do need to rewatch Thaxton v Lawton but my recollection is that it wasn't just a cut that resulted in the stoppage - although it contributed. Incidentally I thought it was Lawton's nose that was split open rather than a cut over his eye. The ringside doctor did allow lawton to continue after inspecting the damage but Lawton seemed to sense the end was in sight and decided to go toe to toe with Thaxton and it was this that proved his undoing in the end. He landed some good shots on Thaxton but he replied with the punches that caused the referee to save Lawton from further punishment by stopping the fight. Think it was a good overhand right that Thaxton really caught him with - the type Khan could still be susceptible to.

 

Elle you make some really good points & I agree with everything you say. The "other sanctioning bodies do it" argument is really poor. We're always saying how we want fighters going up the traditional route as opposed to WBU/WBF etc so we need the British & Commonwealth titles to maintain integrity & enforcing their own rules is pivotal in this.

Thaxton's performances are entirely irrelavent with regards his rights as mandatory. Nowhere in the rules does it say the manner of victory is a deciding factor with regards to imposing mandatories.

Thaxton should be applauded for bringing to light flagrant hypocrisy from the BBBofC. I strongly suspect these actions would not be taking place were Khan under management of the most powerful promoting force in Britsh Boxing.

 

ALL arguments are moot. Thaxton IS the champ and if Khan REALLY wants to move onto the world stage via the traditional route then he needs to fight Thaxton. No true boxing fan will forgive Khan for beat the Commonwealth, English and Euro champ but not the British.

 

Thaxton is slowly becoming to Khan what Witter is to Hatton.

Deal with it now or it'll hang over Khans head.

 

Absolutely, Khan should fight Thaxton, not least because he'd be a great learning fight.

 

Your spot on. Although it seems like it is Khan who does not want the fight. I suspect Warren would be more happy Khan fighting Thaxton than stepping up and fighting the higher guys in the division who are big punchers and talented.

 

Despite what Leadlefthook has said(which is sounding almost like propaganda) it was an overhand right by Thaxton which had Lawton out on his feet that caused the ref to step in , not the cut he had suffered .

Thaxton himself admitted that the longer Khan stays away from him the better his chance , realising that Khan is obviously improving and Thaxton is probably aware that at his age he is slowly starting to decline . It seems Frank Warren wants to wait for as long as people for this fight to happen and give his man as best a chance as possible . You could critisize him for this but it is just similar to what he has done in the past .

However what does stink about the situation is Khan being withdrawn from a mandatory defense and being able to keep and defend his title , a situation which can simply not be justified .

 

Lewis, Benn, Eubank, Hamed etc...never fought for the British title? Why is it such a big deal if Khan doesnt fight for it?
In his 13th fight,. Khan beat a much better Common wealth champ in Limmond. He should be now allowed to take whatever path he needs to take for his career.

 

Thaxton is not being avoided, fact is he looked poor in his last 2 fights and everyone will be saying so if Khan was to beat Thaxton. WHen the fight is made Thaxton will suddenly be old and shot right now he is 'avoided and dangerous'!

So I say now Khan should look for fringe world level operators which is what he needs now.

 

Each fighters circumstances are different. Thaxton is Khans rival. Benn, Eubank and Watson were each others rivals and they fought. We aren't complaining about Khan being British champ (though he should be), we are saying Thaxton is his worthy domestic rival. Not to mention it was Khan who said he wanted to go the traditional route.

PS - Lewis did fight for the British title. He won it off Mason and defended it.

 

LeadLeftHook - you seem to be missing the point, this isn't about whether you rate Thaxton or not.

Its about fair play and the BBBofC representing all boxers interests rather than showing favouritism.

Your constants digs at Thaxton in this thread just expose your bias for Khan and a lack of objectivity about the situation.

Whether we are supporters of Khan, Thaxton, neither or both isn't really what is relevant here - first and foremost we are boxing fans. The issue is the integrity of the BBBofC and recognising when a british champion who has dedicated years to the sport appears to have been treated unjustly.