Rhiannon Dixon: A Touch of Class

Rhiannon Dixon: A Touch of Class

The words of confidence, in some cases, delusion, flow from many a fighter. Some convince, others you sense are just trying to convince themselves. In a sport where flamboyance and the boisterous, arrogance even, thrive, while the understated often get forgotten and left behind.

Rhiannon Dixon has never been one for an overindulgence of words. There is no arrogance when she speaks. But even without all the showbiz that some bring to the party, Dixon has always had that star quality. The unbeaten lightweight prospect has always carried a certain air of authority. Not with words that often come without conviction from some of her contemporaries, but by her manner and the improvements of her ring work.

Since her professional debut in 2019, Dixon has quietly gone about her craft. Eight fights in, all with gradual and noticeable improvement along the way. The Warrington fighter is still a work in progress, but from where she started, that progress has been nothing short of remarkable. And impressive.

It’s too easy to dismiss the chances of success from her entry into the sport. The White Collar background didn’t offer too much hope that Dixon could one day turn into a genuine world title prospect. But that is exactly where Dixon sits today.

Dixon faces the toughest challenge of her professional career on Saturday night at the grand old theatre that is Wembley Arena. The former world title challenger Katherina Thanderz will tell us plenty about Dixon. It is a risk but a calculated risk. A win would push Dixon to another level in her career. World level.

The vacant European lightweight title will be on the line in London, but the fight carries far more importance than one of the many baubles that saturate the sport.

Thanderz has only lost to Terri Harper, a world title challenge that took away her unbeaten record in 2020. A win over Dixon, and suddenly, her career has life again. A defeat could very well be the end. The Norwegian is coming to win. In truth, she has to.

At 28, Dixon is coming into her peak. By this time next year, she will be at it. The worry might be, is Thanderz too much too soon. Thanderz is a step up. Of that, there is no doubt. But Dixon looks ready.

Even on her professional debut, and even in the rawness of it, the talent was obvious. A rough diamond, but one that had real potential. Thanderz will likely tell us if those rough edges have been smoothed out enough to turn back the challenge of the former world title challenger.

It might be a gamble, but it is one that I believe will pay off. Dixon has called it her coming out party, and the timing of the fight does seem to be on her side.

It is by some distance the best fight on the card, and in many ways, the most interesting. Thanderz will test Dixon, and she will probably push her also. But it will also likely bring out the best version of Rhiannon Dixon that we have seen to date. Dixon is talented and has blossomed immensely under the tutelage of Anthony Crolla. That progress looks set to continue on Saturday night. Dixon looks to have a touch of class, and could very well be something special.

I wouldn’t totally rule out another stoppage victory, but a points victory for Dixon is probably the safer bet, and going ten rounds will serve her well for what lies ahead. If the odds that favour Dixon strongly, are reflective of reality, it will indeed be her coming out party and one that will indicate world titles are very much part of her future.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing