After scoring the win of his career thus far to stop Albert Batyrgaziev in four rounds in Istanbul last night, James “Jazza” Dickens said he had never given up on his 41-fight journey.
Now 36-5 (15 KOs), the popular Liverpool southpaw, who claimed the WBA’s interim junior lightweight title (along with an IBA Pro belt), dropped the favored Batyrgaziev twice on his way to a stunning win.
“Thank you, Jesus,” said Dickens. “I always believed in what the Lord had planned for me. Even when it was hard, I believed in the Lord’s will. There was a point in the second round where I changed up my tactics, because the tactics I implemented weren’t the tactics that we went in with, but I saw something. My coach said to me, ‘I see what you’re doing, it’s working. Stick with that,’ and we changed the tactics after round two.”
Dickens, now 34, had suffered career losses to Hector Sosa, Kid Galahad (twice), Guillermo Rigondeaux, and Thomas Patrick Ward, but he breathed new life into his career outscoring Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett in February.
“Me and my dad started off together, training in the house,” added Dickens. “None of this would be possible if my father didn’t believe in me. The man I am is because of the belief he showed in me… and now I’m world champion.”
IBA President Umar Kremlev was on hand, telling Dickens, “You are a true fighter and a true boxer.”
“This is boxing. The best win,” added Kremlev. “He [Batyrgaziev] has to prepare better and train better. You are the best, he is the best, you are two strong boxers. Let him train and practice and we can have a rematch. We are ready to organise it.
“My congratulations to you for the victory, so let’s get ready for the next event.”
