Rhiannon Dixon: The Commonwealth Title & Beyond

Rhiannon Dixon: The Commonwealth Title & Beyond

I first interviewed Rhiannon Dixon three years ago. Dixon was then unbeaten in two fights and looking forward to her third professional fight.

The Warrington lightweight was still working as a pharmacist in an NHS Hospital. After four years at university and the career that followed, her life was seemingly mapped out. But boxing found her, and like the sport can do, it was hard to let go of. A handful of white-collar fights, every single one of them Dixon had her hand raised in victory. But she wanted more. Dixon turned professional, and that life of hers suddenly took even more meaning.

She told me in that first interview:

“I want to get more experience, take my time and be the best I can, I have only been boxing 3 or 4 years and hopefully eventually get into a position where I can fight for titles.”

I closed out that first interview with these words:

‘Dixon is certainly a prospect to keep an eye on, undefeated in every fight she has ever had and despite a brutal schedule, which she does without complaint, we might very well have another British talent who will be pushing for major honours over the next few years.’

In many ways, our words have been proven correct. Especially the ones that she uttered to me. There was always something about Dixon that convinced you her words were formed with conviction and not out of delusion.

Three years on Dixon is in the exact same position she had envisaged. The promising career has advanced to seven fights unbeaten. Each performance better than the last. Dixon was last out in Leeds, a hugely impressive points win over Kristine Shergold in December that was practically flawless. It was the night when everything seemed to fall into place. A slight change in style, avoiding the temptation to stay in the pocket and trade, demonstrating her improving shot selection and boxing IQ. The talented southpaw glided around the ring with little effort. It was difficult not to have been impressed by her work in Leeds. The opening act set a very high standard that night.

The titles she talked about in 2020 are now upon her. On Saturday night, Dixon will fight for her first professional title. The vacant Commonwealth lightweight title will be on the line when Dixon fights Vicky Wilkinson in Liverpool.

Wilkinson is also unbeaten, with a disputed draw last September against Shergold, the only blemish in six fights. Wilkinson comes with ambitions of her own. The unflattering odds don’t give her much hope, but the betting underdog believes it is a 50/50 fight, and that her work rate will swing the fight her way. It could quite easily be the fight of the night if Wilkinson is to be believed, and with a rematch clause in play should the home fighter lose, we could get to see it again.

But Dixon will look to avoid any potential rematch formalities with an emphatic victory on the biggest night of her career to date. The long odds in favour of Dixon indicate the Warrington fighter will leave Liverpool looking ahead and not back. Dixon looks to be in the best shape of her career, and we could very well see a true statement-making performance from her. Despite having no inside-the-distance victories on her record, Dixon does have power in her fists. I wouldn’t be surprised if that first stoppage victory comes her way in Liverpool. Dixon gets the main card privilege. She could open it in some style.

Dixon has had the look of a special fighter for quite some time. One with a touch of class and star quality about her. Under the tutelage of the former world champion, Anthony Crolla, Dixon has developed into a fighter who looks set to reach the pinnacle of her sport. The Commonwealth title looks like being the first of many professional titles Dixon will claim before the gloves are laid to rest.

With the pharmacy career put on hold, Dixon is now a full-time boxer. Another crucial decision that her opponent on Saturday night is unable to make. In a sport of small margins, every little gain helps.

Victory on Saturday will take Dixon to the next phase of her career. The Commonwealth title will bring plenty of interest and potential opponents. With the likes of Caroline Dubois and Jordan Barker-Porter already wanting to fight the winner, the days of Dixon going under the radar will be over. A fight with Heather Hardy ticks many boxes. Dixon is now on the verge of some very big fights indeed.

Katie Taylor still sits at the top of the lightweight tree, but the likelihood is that those world titles will splinter in 2024. By then, Dixon could be in the right place at the right time. Being aligned with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, Dixon, if she remains unbeaten, will surely be manoeuvred into a fight for one of the vacant world titles. Could a Rhiannon Dixon Mikaela Mayer fight be a possibility at some point next year? Make no mistake, Dixon is moving into that sort of company.

At 27, Dixon is approaching her peak. There is no immediate rush, but her progress has been nothing short of startling especially considering she has no amateur experience whatsoever. A still developing fighter for sure, but equally, an incredibly talented one. It will be extremely difficult to hold her back for too long. Her talent will take her to the world stage sooner rather than later. In truth, she might already be there.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing