Having had the opportunity to talk with the former British cruiserweight champion, Shane McPhilbin, it was only right that I spent some time having a conversation with North East boxer Jon-Lewis Dickinson before their impending battle with each other at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on the Audley Harrison – David Price undercard.
It is at this venue where Jon and Shane will lock horns to settle the score who is to be the next champion of Great Britain at Cruiserweight.
Ringnews24.com: Can you tell me where it all began with your boxing career?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: My grandfather took me down to the gym for the first time when I was eleven years old to help me keep off the streets as a youngster. After about a month I decided I wanted to fight competitively. I had all my medicals then I started boxing. As an amateur I won two junior ABA titles, a four nation’s tournament representing my country whilst involved in the national association of boys clubs. I defeated Olympic gold medal winner James Degale in the junior ABA finals. I also reached the senior ABA finals at the age of eighteen as a heavyweight and the following year I stepped down to Cruiserweight and again winning the ABA finals.
Ringnews24.com: What fighter today would you consider your style can be described as most like?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: I honestly find that a difficult question to answer.
Ringnews24.com: Would you say your style is your own and belongs to you?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: Yes. I think I like to adapt my style to different opponents so my style can be different with each fight and that will include different strategies and game plans.
Ringnews24.com: What was the deciding factor that influenced you switching from amateur to professional?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: I just got bored of fighting in the amateurs and fancied a change as there comes a time when you think to yourself, I have different goals I want to achieve.
Ringnews24.com: Are you a full time professional boxer Jon?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: I actually work with the Electric Board on the roads as a utility worker however when I have a fight approaching my employers are kind enough to allow me to have time off so I can go into training camp. On this occasion I have got myself three months time out from my day job. Now I can provide consistency with my training and focus much more on my goal in winning the British title and the Lonsdale belt. I would very much want to win that outright. I have just come back from my roadwork that was a six mile run. I have strength and conditioning coaching and all the rest that needs to be addressed as training for a fight is concerned such as sparring etc. Full preparation for my title challenge is required and we are going to have a game plan for the fight on the thirteenth of October.
Ringnews24.com: Shane has a reputation to have a useful punch on him what are your thoughts about this?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: Well I’m used to fighting many fighters who can punch so this will be not the first time. Also we will be looking at Shane’s style, as we know he will be looking to rough it up in there. However, we plan on implementing a boxing approach while at the same time avoiding heavy shots as my intention is to win the belt.
Ringnews24.com: Are you a boxing fan for example do you purchase magazines or boxing news?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: To be honest I don’t but when I’m visiting my parents I read a copy of the boxing news that they have delivered, but apart from that I like to get away from it as well as I’m doing it a lot with the training etc. So, it’s always nice to relax and forget about boxing from time to time. I do watch boxing on the television sometimes and would like to see the much anticipated Floyd Mayweather Junior vs. Manny Pacquiao bout in the future just like everybody else. My idol of boxing has to be the great Muhammad Ali.
Ringnews24.com: Who would you say was your toughest opponent in your career so far?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: I don’t believe I can say anybody has been my toughest opponent but I know that every fight is different so I’m learning from varied styles all the time. One of the biggest learning fights was my first ten rounder, against Sunderland’s commonwealth gold medal winner David Dolan. He is a tough fighter and he kept coming forward but I won the fight on points and learned a lot from this contest. This fight was even more meaningful as I had broken my jaw in my last fight and lost by injury. I wanted to put things right and get back to winning ways against a quality boxer. I’m training with my former amateur coach who turned pro with me and he knows me well.
Ringnews24.com: A lot of fighters turn professional with their trainer don’t they?
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: Yes they do and I’m fully aware that the coach knows you and makes things much smoother when this is possible. You can go to other trainers but this does not mean you will have the same connection. When you get somebody who knows you they have a good idea how to get the best out of you. What are your goals now you are a professional and what would you like to achieve. I’m fully focussed on winning the British Title. Since I turned professional I have achieved in winning the Northern area title and the English title, now I want the British title. I have won Prizefighter and that holds something special as my brother was also the winner as a Light Heavyweight, this is unique as it has never happened before in the history of the Prizefighter. I’m now sparring with David Price for my approaching fight with Shane and looking forward to the contest with him.
Ringnews24.com: Many thanks for taking time out to talk with me.
Jon-Lewis Dickinson: No problem and if I can help in any way in the future please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
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