Q&A - Craig Dixon
- britishboxingblog
- Nov 23, 2015
- 3 min read
Following a tremendous weekend for North East boxing, we thought it only right to concentrate on the area. Our recent "6 to watch out for in 2016" opinion piece prompted much debate about who is among the best in the North East. We were fortunate enough to speak to Birtley welterweight Craig Dixon to hear his views on the sport in the region and what the future holds for him.
British Boxing Blog - Tell us a bit about your boxing background? How did you get in to the sport?
Craig Dixon - I started boxing when I was 10 years old at my local boxing club in Birtley. I had my first amateur fight when I was 11 and I had 112 amateur fights in total. I had 16 fights for GB (won 11) and was ranked Number 2 in the British amateur rankings before I turned professional.
BBB - Who is your all time boxing hero?
CD - Joe Calzaghe
BBB - You returned to action recently after almost a year out of the ring, just how pleased were you to score a second round stoppage after being out for so long?
CD - It has been a long time coming and I was over the moon to finally get my first stoppage.
BBB - In 2014 you fought Lee Mould for the Northern Area welterweight title. Looking back now to almost 12 months ago, how do you reflect on that fight? Despite losing on a (very!) tight points decision, you must've taken a lot of positives from your performance?
CD - I was devastated to lose my unbeaten record on such a close decision and I have been trying to get the rematch since but it’s now time for me to move on. It has given me the motivation and the determination to do everything I can to make sure I don’t lose again.
BBB - Is the Mould rematch something you would be looking for in 2016? Or is it something you wish to move on from and on to bigger and better things?
CD - I have been waiting around too long for the rematch, I am moving on to bigger fights now but I would never rule out the chance to avenge the loss. If it happens then great, but I’m not chasing it anymore.
BBB - Speaking of bigger and better things, it has just been announced by the Board (BBBoC) that you must fight Mike Towell in a British title eliminator. You must be delighted by this news?
CD - I am absolutely over the moon with the news. It’s a big opportunity for me and a chance for me to show that I belong at the top level domestically.
BBB - Do you know much about Towell? How confident would be of winning this fight?
CD - I haven’t seen much of him but I know he is unbeaten and he is a good fighter. There are no easy fights once you get to this level but I know I can beat anyone when I am at the top of my game.
BBB - You're signed to Fighting Chance promotions. Tell us about the team there and how important they are in guiding your career in the right direction?
CD - I have a great team around me with fighting chance and I think it is showing in the ring. I have Ronnie Rowe as my manager and coach along with Gary Barr and they are bringing out the best in me. I have Chris Clayton as my Nutritionist and Lewis Pendleton doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes. They have got me the right fights and have secured a British Eliminator fight for me so I couldn’t ask for much more really.
BBB - What are your thoughts on the current state of North East boxing? Do you feel the region has a thriving local fight scene at present?
CD - Boxing is booming in the North East at the minute and it is only getting stronger. I think it’s only a matter of time before the region has another world champion.
BBB - And finally, which boxer (apart from yourself) should people keep an eye out for in 2016?
CD - I think Martin Ward will take his chance and push on in 2016 and I am looking forward to my team mate Jon-Lewis Dickinson getting back out and building on his last win against Simmons.
A massive thanks to Craig for answering our questions and his team at Fighting Chance Promotions for making it happen.
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