Fighting Chance Foundation hosts England Boxing development workshops

(Pictured above: Gateshead Victoria Boxing Club)

The Fighting Chance Foundation hosted two England boxing talent development workshops last week, and Steve Cranston, who led the session and is head coach of Gateshead Victoria Boxing Club, hailed the event as a great success.

The development workshops are designed to provide a talent pathway system for boxers all over the country that may have not met the criteria to attend the England Open Talent Day.

Boxers from across the UK travelled to the gym in Felling to take part in a junior men workshop for those aged between 14-16, and a women workshop for those of all ages.

Cranston was delighted with the talent on-show and is confident that a number of boxers who attended, will go on to represent England.

“Without a doubt some of those that attended will go far. Of course they will still need to go for the open talent day and pass the assessments, but after this workshop they will be better prepared for that.

“The attitude, behaviour and the concentration in the session was fantastic.”

Nicola Adams and Savannah Marshall were crowned gold medalists at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and Cranston believes women’s boxing is only getting stronger. 

He added: “The girls session was second to none. The age range went from the youngest at 12 years old, to the oldest at 32 years old.

“The younger ones normally don’t get individual coaching, but I coached a couple of them last week and they were brilliant. Overall the two sessions were very successful.”

Craig Dixon to travel to Scotland for British title eliminator against Mike Towell

Fighting Chance Promotions have come to an agreement with Tommy Gilmour to host the British title eliminator between Craig Dixon and Mike Towell in Scotland.

Following lengthy negotiations, Fighting Chance agreed that the welterweight contest will be hosted on a Tommy Gilmour show, on the condition that the date will be suitable for both parties, and a neutral referee will be provided.

The bout is likely to take place in March in either Stirling or Dundee.

Speaking on the deal, Fighting Chance director Lewis Pendleton said: “We are delighted that Craig has a British title eliminator, and are confident that he can get the win in Towell’s backyard.

“Both teams made significant purse bids, but after protracted negotiations we decided that a fight in Scotland would make most financial sense for both fighters.

“We hope that a number of fans can join us in Scotland as Craig competes in the biggest fight of his career to date.”

‘The Birtley Bullet’ made a bold statement in his last outing as he stopped Duane Grimes in the second round to seal the first stoppage win of his career.

And Dixon will be confident entering Towell’s home patch, as the last time he fought in Scotland in 2013, he took a comfortable points decision victory over Rhys Pagan.

The British title eliminator promises to provide a true clash of styles, as Towell’s all-action approach has led to six knockout victories in ten fights and has earned him the nickname of the ‘Scottish Tyson’.

Whoever comes out on top between Towell and Dixon will edge closer to a shot at the British welterweight title, which is currently held by Sam Eggington, who won the coveted belt against Glenn Foot in July.

Fighting Chance Promotions are offering an exciting opportunity to sponsor Craig Dixon in his journey to a major title shot. If you are interested in increasing the exposure for your brand, please contact fighting.chance@mail.com for more details.

Fighting Chance and Craig Dixon would also like to thank VGS Global and Beta 2 for their continued support. 

Travis Dickinson steps away from professional boxing

Fighting Chance light-heavyweight Travis Dickinson has called time on his professional boxing career after deciding to pursue interests elsewhere.

After 19 professional fights, Dickinson leaves the professional boxing scene with a collection of achievements, including winning and defending the English title, lifting the Prizefighter trophy and being a finalist in Channel 5’s MaxiNutrition Tournament.

Speaking on his decision to retire, Dickinson said on social media: “After a long hard think I've decided to retire from professional boxing. It’s too tiring and I just can’t make 12-and a half stone anymore.”

Following an impressive amateur career, Travis followed older brother Jon-Lewis by turning professional in 2009, and won his first seven fights before entering and winning Prizefighter in 2011.

Three more victories led Dickinson to his first shot at a major title, as he challenged Bob Ajisafe for the English light-heavyweight title.  However, the Birtley boxer fell short and was on the receiving end of a points decision loss.

Dickinson entered Channel 5’s Max-Nutrition tournament in 2014, and his all-action style led him to become a fan-favourite, as he stopped Danny McIntosh in the third round to lift the English title.

In his first defence of the coveted belt against Matty Clarkson, fans were treated to one of the ‘fights of 2014’, and the all-action affair urged Showtime’s Al Bernstein to say that the fight represented the best of boxing.

Both boxers were knocked down on three occasions, before Dickinson booked his place in the Maxi-Nutrition final when Clarkson’s cheek injury deemed him in no position to continue.

In unfortunate circumstances, Dickinson never got the chance to avenge his defeat to Ajiisafe in the tournament’s finale, due to suffering a leg injury only days before the fight.

In his last appearance he returned on Matchroom Sport’s Newcastle bill in April, but suffered a damaging blow as Mustafa Chadlioui sent him crashing to the canvas in the first round.

Fighting Chance Promotions would like to thank Travis for his hard work, and wish him all the best for the future.

Craig Dixon lands British title eliminator against Mike Towell

Fighting Chance Promotions are delighted to announce that Craig Dixon has been granted a British title eliminator against Mike Towell.

The welterweight contest is subject to purse bids on the 9^th of December, with the eliminator set to take place before the end of March 2016.

Only last month, ‘The Birtley Bullet’ returned after an 11-month layoff and showed little signs of ring-rust as he stopped Duane Grimes within two rounds to earn the first stoppage victory of his career.

Dixon will be keen to build on momentum by forging a shot for the coveted British strap, but in order to earn a title opportunity, will have to come past a tough opponent in the form of Towell.

The 24-year-old Scot holds an unbeaten record in nine fights, and was steered to a Scottish Area title in December 2014 by manager, Tommy Gilmour. 

On paper little separates Dixon and Towell, as they both comfortably defeated the two opponents they have in common (Kevin McAuley and Rhys Pagan).

But Fighting Chance head coach, Ron Rowe MBE, believes that now is the right time for Dixon to campaign for major honours.

He said: “Craig can beat anyone on his day, he’s a really good talent. He’s come through the right way and now is the time for him to be let off the leash.

"For anyone going into professional boxing, even getting near a British title is absolutely fantastic. Fighting Chance have been pushing him in the right direction, and he has done the business in the ring.”

"He’s been given the opportunity by the board on merit, and we are going to do everything in our power to prepare Craig in the best possible way.”

Sam Eggington, who is managed by Matchroom Sport, is the current holder of the British Welterweight title, but Rowe is eager to concentrate on one fight at a time before targeting the British champion.

He added: “We need to take one step at a time. The priority is to get past Towell first. He’s a tough fighter and it will be an exciting fight between him and Craig.”

If you would like to sponsor Craig Dixon in his bid for title glory, please email fighting.chance@mail.com or personal message Fighting Chance's official facebook page, and we will get back to you.

Reinvigorated Dixon sets sights on Mould rematch after gaining first stoppage victory

Craig Dixon (13-1) has declared that he is a reinvigorated fighter after scoring the first stoppage of his career against Duane Grimes.

Dixon, 29, had been out of the ring for 11 months, but proved he’s still a threat to be reckoned with after unleashing a barrage of hooks that forced the referee to halt the contest in the second round.

With Grimes holding four knockout losses on his record prior to the contest, Dixon was always confident that he had the ability to end the fight early.

He said: “It’s a monkey off my back. I knew he was there for the taking and I was capable of stopping him.

“It’s been a long time coming. In other fights, I’ve come close to getting the stoppage but the opportunity has always slipped past me.

“Hopefully I can get more stoppages in the future.”

Only last November ‘The Birtley Bullet’ suffered a narrow points decision loss to Lee Mould in a Northern Area title fight.

However after some time out of the ring, Dixon now feels ready to surge towards a title challenge and has a rematch with Mould well within his sights.

Dixon added: “I’ve got that hunger back, and I’m ready for the big fights.

“I’m chasing titles and it’s time for people to fight me now. Facing Grimes was a good fight to come back to, but I want bigger things in this sport.

“Mould said after our last fight that he would give me a rematch, so hopefully he sticks to his word.

“I don’t understand why the rematch hasn’t happened yet, I believe it’s a fight the fans desperately want to see.”

Craig Dixon and Fighting Chance Promotions would like to thank Beta 2 and VGS Global for their continued support.