Ringnews24 talks to British Cruiserweight Champion Jon Lewis Dickinson ahead of defending his title against former Commonwealth gold medal winner and former opponent David Dolan.
First of all on behalf of Ringnews24 I would like to congratulate you on successfully winning the British Cruiserweight Championship against Shane McPhilbin. Can you give me your thoughts on the fight?
Thank You. I thought Shane would fight more aggressively with a lot more punches – he seemed to adopt more of a defensive style strategy in that fight.
Do you feel there have been any changes in your life since becoming British champion?
No not at all, however I have signed a few gloves for charity.
In your next fight against David Dolan do you have a game plan?
I know David is a tough, strong fighter and I will not have to go looking for him. My first fight with David was fast-paced and I think the same is going to happen this time. Hopefully this fight will show how much I have improved in the last year-and-a-half – I feel more experienced now and I had never done more than four rounds before I boxed him the last time. I have had two 10-rounders and one 12-rounder since then.
There’s no substitute for the quality of experience you acquire when you can get the rounds under your belt is there?
That’s rights – it’s psychological and gets in your head when you know you can go longer distances in fights. When I boxed David the first time, during the middle rounds I half doubted myself and thought “Can I do it?” despite performing in the gym. Going the distance in the fights makes you realise you can do it. I am now comfortable going 10 and 12 rounds.
You must put a lot of training into going all those rounds – it must be gruelling?
Yes, sparring and doing lots of roadwork. I have a body conditioning coach who helps with my condition and I also receive advice on what to eat to keep a eye on my weight – I make the weight for fights comfortably. I also train twice a day while using Saturday as a rest day. Because I train so often it’s good that I now get regular massages to help my body relax and loosen my muscles up. I get time off work when in training camp and my employers sponsor me, which covers my salary so I can focus on my boxing career and training before each fight. I have been in training camp eight weeks so far for this fight.
There is another cruiserweight knocking on the door of the British Championship: Walsall’s Chris Keane. After his last fight against Shane McPhilbin he produced an impressive display to win the fight inside three rounds and claim the Midlands Area Cruiserweight Title. This puts him in a great position for a shot at your belt.
Yes I watched that fight and he looked very capable and sharp. It’s obviously a fight that could be made not to far in the future – the division has some exciting fighters at the moment and potentially there are very interesting fights that could be made.
Are you planning on hanging around the British domestic scene or hoping to go higher such as Commonwealth and European level?
No, I am happy to stay at British championship level at the moment in my career and I would love to win the Lonsdale belt outright. I have had only 14 fights so not in no rush just yet.
Can I ask what your ringwalk tune will be before you enter the ring to fight Dolan?
Yes I will be coming it into the ring with Roy Jones Jr: Can’t Be Touched.
I know boxing is a tough and often brutal sport and at times I am aware of calls for boxing to be banned. What’s your opinion on this subject?
I thing it would be ridiculous to ban boxing – it’s a highly rated sport and very disciplined – it keeps kids off the street and a lot of people out of trouble.
Have you got a message to your fans?
Come along and enjoy the fight – it should be an amazing atmosphere on the night and hopefully I will do the business.
Best wishes in your next contest and every success for the future.
