CHRIS LAKEY Jon Thaxton is planning to bring an abrupt end to Jorge Daniel Miranda's first fight outside his native Argentina this weekend. The Norwich lightweight is up against a fighter with a perfect record from 19 bouts - and doesn't want to hang around, even though a lengthy fight might just be beneficial to him.

CHRIS LAKEY

Jon Thaxton is planning to bring an abrupt end to Jorge Daniel Miranda's first fight outside his native Argentina this weekend.

The Norwich lightweight is up against a fighter with a perfect record from 19 bouts - and doesn't want to hang around, even though a lengthy fight might just be beneficial to him.

“I just want to get him out of there as quickly as I can, end of story,” said Thaxton yesterday ahead of Saturday's showdown in Sheffield. “There are no ifs or buts about it.

“But - we are always prepared. If it goes 10 rounds it goes 10 rounds and in the long run that could be better for me, for the experience.

“But when I am in that ring I want to knock you out. I want to go in there and destroy you as quickly as I can.”

Miranda is an unknown quantity, and although his record shows eight KOs in his 19 outings, it also shows he has been 10 rounds just once.

“I treat every fight with the importance it deserves and this is tough fight,” said Thaxton. “At the end of the day I know absolutely nothing about Miranda, just that's he's 19 unbeaten. The opportunity came along - I have never ducked a challenge and this is a hell of a challenge.

“Argentina is a very tough part of the world. Okay, he has never fought outside Argentina, but if he's been on that Argentinian circuit, he must be good. I have to be up for it. We know absolutely nothing about him so I need to be on my guard. We will try to figure him out in the first few rounds but if a win comes, fantastic.”

The fight has not been awarded international status and, as such, there is nothing tangible at stake - but Thaxton knows that the 30th win of his career would simply underline his credentials when it comes to the domestic titles that have eluded him.

Twenty fours before he climbs into the ring against Miranda, Dave Stewart and Lee Meager contest the vacant British lightweight title in Bethnal Green - and Thaxton should, by rights, face the winner.

“Hopefully the board will make me number one contender and I will fight the winner, that is what I want to do,” said Thaxton. “I would love to win the English, the British, the Commonwealth, the European and then who knows, if I get that far, a world title.”

While Danny Hunt seemingly vacated the English lightweight crown rather than face Thaxton, there is little chance that either Stewart or Meager will be able to duck the issue.

“They are going to have to fight us,” said Thaxton. “If the board nominate us they have to, or they have to give the belt up, like Danny Hunt did.

“The only ones that can help them are the Board of Control, but hopefully they will see what I am doing, how long I have been in the game and turn round and say, 'right, give Thaxton a chance, he deserves it'.

“But my priority is Saturday night in Sheffield. I want to win that and then I can go back and watch the video of Friday's fight, see who won and how he won and then I will start making my claim.

“In my opinion I think I have a harder fight on Saturday night than they have on Friday night.”

(.) Tickets are available from Marion Thaxton on 07885 157780.