Thaxton learns a harsh lesson of the life of a boxing trainer
Sam Sexton on the canvas during his defeat at the hands of Hughie Fury. Picture: PA - Credit: PA
Jon Thaxton has seen the ups and downs of professional boxing at the very top level, but admitted he was struggling to gets to grips with Sam Sexton's defeat to Hughie Fury.
Neither Thaxton nor Graham Everett were at odds with referee Terry O'Connor's decision to stop the fight as it entered the final minute of round five, with Sexton having hit the canvas for the second time.
But an emotional Thaxton was struggling for words as he attempted to sum up the fight, the way it ended – and the consequences.
'It is the first time I have really worked hard with someone and it has ended in that way and it is a little bit of a shock to me,' said Thaxton.
'It is hurting.
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Everett was heavily involved in training Thaxton when he graced the pro ranks himself and the former British and European lightweight champion is now learning the ropes under his mentor: Sexton's defeat proved to be a harsh lesson learned.
'Yes – it is a big part of my learning,' he said.
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'And I don't like this side of it.
'We have all lost tonight.
'When Graham was training me, when I lost we would lose together, but I always thought it was just bad for me, but I realise now how hard it would have hit him.
'It is tough on both sides of the fence, whether you are in the ring or outside the ring and that is how I found it tonight.'
Thaxton's disappointment was hardly helped by the fact Sexton was working to the pre-fight plan.
'I thought he was boxing perfectly,' said Thaxton. 'Everything Graham had concocted to do – his hands were up, he was taking shots. But in 36 minutes you are going to get hit: he did get hit with a good shot, went down, got up, came back, then carried on where he left off – but then walked straight into another shot again.
'Everything was going how I thought it would go – his defence was great, I thought we were getting closer – and then I suppose we got too close.
'One punch can make you – and one punch can break you.
'It can happen in boxing, especially heavyweight boxing.'
