Jazza Dickens expects tougher Kid Galahad matchup than when they sparred

In 2013, two gifted younger execs and members of boxing’s ‘Who Wants Him Membership’ met on the Magna Centre in Rotherham.

Sheffield’s Child Galahad stopped Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens in 10 rounds for the vacant British junior featherweight title and eight years on they meet once more, this time as one of many featured bouts in Matchroom’s Battle Camp on August 7.

Dickens is now 30-3 (11 knockouts) – he was 16-0 after they first met – they usually’ve each misplaced world title fights since. In a number of weeks, they conflict for the vacant IBF featherweight belt, they usually’ve not solely discovered from combating each other however they’ve sparred a lot behind closed doorways, too, through the years.

“We all know one another, we’ve received loads of historical past, we’ve carried out loads of sparring since we fought again in 2013,” mentioned Dickens. 

So, is Galahad a greater fighter than the model he’s already confronted?

“Anybody could be,” Dickens continued. “Should you’re nonetheless working and nonetheless studying your craft every single day, clearly you’re going to be higher and I’m positive he’s the identical. I’d count on him to have grown the identical approach I’ve.”

For the Liverpool man, who is suggested by former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, they haven’t proven one another an excessive amount of working collectively within the health club as Jazza at all times thought it was inevitable their paths would cross as soon as extra.

“We’ve at all times identified behind our minds that it’s going to occur once more,” Dickens added. “I’ve definitely identified it will occur once more however we’ve been smart and we’ve used one another as a result of we’re the perfect sparring each of us can discover and it’s been a pleasure to work collectively. There are not any harsh emotions.”

Though they’ve traded the odd insult on social media, Dickens insists he’s simply doing what the game requires of its contributors in constructing fighters, fighters and points of interest – going forwards and backwards with the Sheffield man in entrance of 1000’s of on-line followers. 

“It’s the world we stay in and we’ve received to play the sport,” he went on. “I don’t wish to be caught behind like a caveman so it’s the world we stay in.”

It’s a sport he is aware of and cares deeply about, too, regardless of a profession of onerous knocks.

“I adore it,” he mentioned of boxing. “It’s all I do know to be sincere. My profession has gone in reverse. It was robust [at the start] as a result of I didn’t have peace of thoughts and I didn’t know if one other alternative was going to come back and it was at all times the case that we didn’t know what was coming subsequent however now all of it form of suits. I’m fortunate to have the crew round me that I’ve received so I can solely get pleasure from my profession.”

That crew contains the aforementioned Bellew, who Dickens has a private {and professional} relationship with, spanning nicely over a decade.

“He’s carried out greater than I may ever have imagined and he’s carried out it for nothing as nicely,” acknowledged Jazza. “It means lots to me that he’s carried out it and it means much more that he’s carried out it out of his personal good will.”

And that’s led Dickens to Battle Camp and never solely a possibility for a world title however the probability to impress on a present that’s in demand from fellow fighters who wish to become involved in these open-air exhibits.

“I watched it final 12 months and thought, ‘I’d like to field there, with a crowd,’ and I watched [Sam] Eggington and [Ted] Cheeseman and thought it was such a disgrace that they didn’t have a crowd however my crew and Tony Bellew have had the prospect to work with Matchroom and I’m very fortunate.”

Dickens can be hoping it’s lastly his time. He turned professional in 2011 and has boxed the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux, Martin Ward, Thomas Patrick Ward, Leigh Wooden and Ryan Walsh.

Nothing’s been given to him and he agrees he’s discovered many issues the onerous approach.

“Yeah, you’ve received to study,” he mentioned, not sure whether or not this, on the age of 30, is his final shot. “Defeat for me is the easiest way to study as a result of it hurts a lot and it means you’ve received to get higher. Nothing provides you a kick up the arse like defeat.”