By Ben Carey
Two time English champion Scott Lawton, 26-4-1 (5), will challenge John Murray, 26-0 (14), for his British lightweight title at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan tomorrow night (June 13) and is confident of outboxing the unbeaten Murray. ITV4 televise live.
Lawton has already had one shot at the Lonsdale belt but came up short against then British champion Jonathan Thaxton in March 2007. “After the Thaxton defeat I thought my chance at a British title might have come and gone,” recalled Lawton. “I fought Amir Khan for the Commonwealth title after that and it was a great experience but the fight just didn’t go my way (Lawton was overwhelmed in four rounds).
“I think I was caught in the headlights a bit in those fights but looking back now I think I learned an awful lot from those defeats and I think I’ve proved that in my last few fights.I understand the game a lot better now and I’m fighting to my strengths. I’m using my boxing ability now instead of just getting into a fight. I also think I’m a lot stronger mentally and I think that will all stand to me going into this fight.”
Lawton has been in fine form since those back-to-back losses to Thaxton and Khan, winning all six contests and becoming a two time English Champion in the process by halting the rise of once promising contender, Martin Gethin (TKO 9, due to a head wound but Lawton was ahead on points at the time).
“I’ve taken a lot of confidence from the Gethin win going into this fight because Martin’s style is quite similar to John’s,” said Lawton. “They’re both pressure fighters and Gethin is very strong like John although he probably doesn’t have as high a workrate.
Lawton is more than familiar with Murray having already sparred with him on a couple of occasions. “If our spars are anything to go by then it’s going to be an entertaining scrap. I really enjoyed the spars, he’s strong and aggressive and I think we’re both very stubborn guys so it should make for an exciting fight because neither of us will back down.
“He probably has a bit more power than me but I believe I’m the better boxer and I think that will be the key on the night. I’m at my best against pressure fighters like John so I think his style will suit me.
“I’m predicting a win but I don’t care how it comes. If it’s on points that’s fine and if it’s a stoppage then that’s a bonus. I know I’m not the biggest puncher in the world but John does tend to mark up a bit around the eyes so that could be a factor as well.”
Lawton could frustrate Murray early on, but the young Manchester fighter showed excellent composure to break down the fleet-footed Lee McAllister in eight rounds in January. The Manchester prospect, irritated after having spent five months on the sidelines, won’t have to go looking for Lawton in the same away. 
Gradually, I expect Murray to draw Lawton into a fight at close quarters and gradually break down the gutsy challenger’s with hurtful hooks to head and body to bring about the referee’s intervention by the halfway stage. Next up for Murray should be an overdue meeting with Norwich’s former European champion in September.
Heavyweight colossus Tyson Fury won’t feature on the Wigan undercard due to a back injury however his cousin, Phill Fury, will have his second pro outing. The card will also feature the return of flashy light-welterweight Nadeem Siddique, teenage featherweight prospect Steve Barnes and Canadian bantamweight Andrew Singh Kooner.
