A Boxing Memory: Rhiannon Dixon vs. Karen Elizabeth Carabajal

A Boxing Memory: Rhiannon Dixon vs. Karen Elizabeth Carabajal

It was the moment of truth for Rhiannon Dixon in April 2024. Unbeaten in nine fights, Dixon was stepping up in class when she fought the tough and vastly more experienced Argentinian Karen Elizabeth Carabajal at the Manchester Arena.

The vacant WBO world lightweight title was on the line, and it would conclude a quite remarkable rise through the boxing ranks. After just a handful of white-collar fights, Dixon turned professional in 2919 live on Channel Five, with a points victory over Vaida Masiokaite. An opening round knockdown was the highlight of a thoroughly impressive professional debut.

Dixon continued her progress and, leading up to her maiden world title opportunity against Carabajal, the Warrington fighter had already secured the Commonwealth and European lightweight baubles. In her previous fight, the former world title challenger Katharina Thanderz lost every round against Dixon at the Wembley Arena. Dixon claimed the European title in emphatic fashion, and the chase for world honours began.

But Carabajal represented a tough challenge. Dixon just had those nine fights behind her in comparison to the twenty-three fights of her next opponent. The Argentinian had lost to Katie Taylor two years earlier in a previous attempt at winning a world title, the only time Carabajal had suffered a reversal in her professional career, which started in 2013, six years earlier than when Dixon started her professional prize-fighting life. The difference in experience between the pair was vast.

Carabajal, who had won three fights since losing her unbeaten record to Taylor two years earlier, must have fancied her chances of springing the upset in Manchester. Despite again being in the ‘away’ corner, Carabajal would have travelled to the UK with more hope than we she fought Taylor for undisputed status in 2022.

The opening two rounds were tight, even though the British fighter edged them, but Dixon took control in the third round. A thudding, beautifully timed left hand dropped Carabajal, and for a brief moment, an early night looked possible. But the 33-year-old survived the crisis and gradually worked her way back into the fight.

The second half of the contest got gradually harder for Dixon, and Carabajal seemed to momentarily stun her in the 6th round, and you did start to wonder if that greater experience would prove pivotal down the stretch.

But to her credit, Dixon dug in and stayed with Carabajal as the Argentinian made her work for any success. Dixon, probably trying too hard to replicate that left hand she landed so tellingly in the third round, got countered a little too often for comfort as she threw too many shots from the outside without first working her way into range. But she never let the fight get away from her. It got uncomfortable at times, but winning a world title shouldn’t be easy. It was anything but easy, but Dixon was winning the majority of the rounds, even though most of the rounds were competitive.

The scores were maybe a little harsh on the Argentinian, but Dixon had clearly done more than enough to earn that vacant WBO world lightweight title. The scorecards were unanimous, 98-91, 97-92, and a more reflective 96-93. On the night I described it as hard-earned, and it was.

The new champion was perhaps a little too hard on herself after the fight rather than just enjoying her moment. As I wrote in my ringside report, ‘Sometimes, all you have to do is win. And win she did. A hard night, but still a very good one.’

Rhiannon Dixon lost her world title to Terri Harper in her first defence, a night where experience was the key, and a lingering foot injury has delayed a return to the ring.

A lot is made, and quite rightly so, of the achievements of Fabio Wardley and his rise from the white-collar circuit to the heavyweight championship of the world. But Rhiannon Dixon achieved the exact same thing without the plaudits she deserves.

At the pre-fight press confernce, Dixon told her promoter Eddie Hearn, “You took a risk on a girl from white collar boxing, I was a pharmacist at the time, and I’m going to repay the favour on Saturday and show that I belong at this level.” Dixon was true to her word. She did show that belonged at world level. Moments like that should be cherished and appreciated. Being a world champion should mean everything, and from where she came from, Dixon should be immensley proud of what she achieved in boxing. The future will dertermine what comes next, but nobdy will ever be able to take away the fact that Rhiannon Dixon was the lightweight champion of the world.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing