In an era where boxing promotions are often marred by controversy and disrespect, Jazza Dickens stands as a beacon of the sport’s traditional values. The Liverpool native is set to defend his WBA super featherweight world title against Belfast’s Anthony Cacace in Dublin this weekend, and he’s making it clear that respect and integrity are at the heart of this bout.
Dickens, who has held himself with dignity throughout the build-up, believes that the mutual respect between opponents should be the cornerstone of boxing, even in today’s sensationalist climate. Both Dickens and Cacace, affectionately known as ‘The Apache,’ have maintained a respectful demeanor throughout fight week, embodying the spirit of the sport as it was known in years past.
“Of course, we respect each other,” Dickens stated. “That’s boxing, isn’t it? That’s the old boxing. We respect each other, shake hands, go in there and throw down, and then shake hands again afterwards.” He acknowledges that while trash talk might generate more views and sell fights, it’s not something he subscribes to. “If me and Anto started pushing each other and shouting bad things at each other, we’d get more views, wouldn’t we? But that’s not boxing to me. Where’s the integrity? Where’s the respect? Where’s the honor?”
Dickens’ stance on respect in boxing becomes even more pronounced with maturity. “You look back on it and I think that stuff grows with age,” he reflected. “You start to appreciate integrity more.” This mutual admiration between the two fighters, however, will be set aside once the bell rings. “Both of us are going to try and do a job in there,” Dickens asserted.
The Liverpudlian’s connection with Dublin extends beyond fight week. Having lived in Ireland earlier in his career, Dickens experienced firsthand the passion Irish fans have for boxing. “When the fight was offered and I saw Dublin on it, I just thought ‘yes’ straight away,” he recalled. “It was an immediate yes.”
Dickens’ journey to the world title has been one of the longest in boxing history. He was elevated from WBA interim champion to full world champion in December after Lamont Roach was stripped of the title. His story is one of perseverance and resilience, having navigated setbacks such as his 2016 loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux. Now, as a world champion and a manager under the banner Integrity Boxing Management, Dickens continues to uphold the values he believes are essential to the sport.
As the boxing world turns its eyes to Dublin, Dickens and Cacace are set to deliver a fight that not only showcases their skills but also the respect and integrity that have become increasingly rare in the sport. This Saturday, the 3 Arena will witness a bout that harks back to boxing’s golden era, where honor and mutual admiration were as important as the fight itself.
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