By Ant Evans: Defeated British Lightweight challenger Scott Lawton has vowed to fight his way back to another Lonsdale title chance in the wake of last Friday’s defeat to Jon Thaxton. Lawton was bludgeoned to a bloody seventh round defeat in Norwich – but not before putting on an exciting and courageous performance which many believed was beyond the Stoke-On-Trent boxer.
“I was 10-1 and even 12-1 with the bookmakers,” Lawton told SecondsOut. “But I think I proved that I belonged in there with the likes of a Thaxton. I can come back from this.”
Although he was hurt in the opening round, cut up and finally taken out by a massive hook in the seventh, Lawton was competitive throughout.
He said: “I knew every round was going to be hell and was prepared for it while I think maybe Jon just thought he’d turn up and bang me out. I knew how good Jon was going in, I knew he was a quality fighter and a massive puncher so I expected every single round to be a nightmare.
“My plan was not to get too banged up early on, get to the half way point without falling behind on points and then come on strong in the second half. Even though I didn’t get a chance to put that plan into action I think I gave him a run for his money. I think I hurt him a couple of times to the body and I think I won some rounds too.”
And yet when Thaxton’s swings started lacerating Lawton’s face, ring officials gave Lawton one more round going into the seventh. Although Lawton has only four stoppages in 24 professional starts, the reigning English Champion went for the big finish regardless.
“I wanted to go out on my shield,” Lawton said. “The worst cut went right between both eyes and blood was going into both of them. It was like looking through red fog and I couldn’t argue with the decision to give me just one round, although I was enjoying every second of the fight.”
Thaxton uncorked a massive hook to send Lawton into a crazy dance, and the fight was stopped before Thaxton could land another blow on the stricken challenger.
Lawton added: “Jon’s the best in the country – a worthy British Champion – and there’s no disgrace in losing to him and it will take someone special to take that belt off him because he wants it as much as any challenger does.”
Lawton added that Thaxton, a class act in and out of the ring, actually sent a message of support to his vanquished foe after the battle.
“Thaxton emailed me the other day and said I gave him a real hard fight. He complimented me on doing my homework on him and coming in prepared. He told me I can come back from this – it is not the fact you’ve fallen but how you get up what counts.
“That was a really classy thing for him to do. I thank him for giving me a chance at the British Title and, although I’d take a rematch tomorrow, I hope he gets a world title shot soon.
“As for me, I’ll go back to English Title level and regroup for hopefully another crack at the British Title.”
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