Co-founder of Able2BExperienced, motivational, one-of-a-kind. These are just a few of the ways to describe this invaluable team member. As an ex-boxer, Jon Thaxton has had many years of experience of boxing, being a trainer, fitness advisor and motivational speaker.

Inspiring many to believe in themselves and achieve their goals, he has worked with children in school, addressing areas such as physical fitness, self confidence and bullying, and as such has trustworthy knowledge about the elements needed to achieve successful outcomes. His ability to motivate and encourage is second to none and so is fantastic at providing a fun and varied fitness programme, accessible to all ranges of physical ability.

In his 17-year career, Jon has achieved the European and British lightweight boxing titles which takes a lot more than just simple physical strength. Mental agility, self-belief and motivation were all critical in Jon’s ability to succeed in the sport. Being second-best was never an option, “I’ve always believed in aiming for the top, the determination to win pulses through my veins.”

He had his first professional fight in December 1992, beating Scott Smith. In his early career he fought as a light-welterweight; his first fight for a major title was in September 1996, when he won the WBO Intercontinental Light-Welterweight title, beating Bernard Paul of Mauritius. In November 1997, he won the IBF Intercontinental Light-Welterweight title, beating Rimvidas Bilius of Lithuania. Losing both titles in September 1998, being knocked out in the seventh round after an epic battle in the ring, was a major setback which he was determined to return from stronger and better.

There where further setbacks in the ring between 1999 and 2002 against three worthy opponents Jason Rowland, Ricky Hatton and Eamonn Magee when he did not manage to dent his ambition; it was a road accident which eventually sidelined him for the next two years.

Digging deep with a strong sense of belief that he could achieve success again, in April 2005 he knocked out Frenchman Christophe De Busillet in the fourth round, to take the vacant WBF world lightweight title. In September 2005, he defended the title against Romanian Vasile Dragomir, scoring a knockout in the fourth round. In December 2006, he fought Lee Meager, the holder of the British lightweight title, he scored a unanimous points victory to take the title. In March 2007, he defended the British lightweight title against Scott Lawton, winning by a technical knockout in the seventh. In October 2007, he defended the British lightweight title again, this time against Dave Stewart, winning by a technical knockout in the twelfth round. In April 2008, he challenged Yuri Romanov, of Belarus, for his European lightweight title. The fight was stopped at the start of the sixth when his corner refused to let him come out due to bad cuts. This was his first defeat after twelve straight wins. On October 4, 2008, he captured the vacated European lightweight title in the third round of the contest against Spaniard Juan Carlos Melero Diaz.

Safe to say, he has extensive boxing credentials and the lessons of resilience and motivation he has learnt have surely helped him as a mentor and trainer at Able2B

“I love what I do now more than actually boxing. I love helping people! What a great feeling, to go home, drive home knowing you’ve made a difference to someone’s life!”