Rhiannon Dixon Stops Vicky Wilkinson in 6 Rounds To Win The Vacant Commonwealth Lightweight Title

Rhiannon Dixon Stops Vicky Wilkinson in 6 Rounds To Win The Vacant Commonwealth Lightweight Title

For 5 rounds Vicky Wilkinson made Rhiannon Dixon work extremely hard for her success on Saturday night in Liverpool. Wilkinson told me her work rate would be her route to victory. And that was how she fought. I had the betting underdog three rounds down as the fight entered the pivotal 6th round, but you sensed the second half of the fight could have got very interesting indeed. But the Warrington southpaw had other ideas.

Dixon targeted the body in the 6th round and found immediate success. Seemingly out of nowhere, Wilkinson was on the floor and from ringside, I thought she wouldn’t get up. But Wilkinson bravely got up but Dixon knew she had her hurt, and went for the finish. It came soon after.

It was a tough night for Dixon before the finish came. Wilkinson made her work, and gave Dixon the type of fight she badly needed. Dixon probably lacked the sharpness and precision she showed in Leeds in December against common opponent Kristine Shergold, but Wilkinson deserves credit for that, rather than any real criticism at the performance of Dixon. A learning fight if ever there was one.

The new Commonwealth lightweight champion can be extremely proud of her performance. Wilkinson gave her problems to solve, and Dixon solved them. The finish was particularly impressive. The unbeaten lightweight was incredibly vicious in that 6th round and didn’t give her opponent anytime to recover. Her first stoppage victory will give her immense confidence going forward. Dixon is still developing, and must not be rushed before she is ready. But the talent is obvious. That talent might still be a little raw, but Anthony Crolla has a serious prospect on his hands.

Jordan Barker-Porter has shown interest in fighting Dixon, and that is a sensible next step. Personally, a fight with Heather Hardy ticks many boxes and is a fight I would like to see at some point this year.

Dixon is a talent and a genuine future world title hopeful, and even on a night where she wasn’t quite at her best, the potential is obvious. Now unbeaten in eight fights, there is every chance Dixon will be in line for world titles before 2024 closes out.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing