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. 

FIGHT REPORT: Fighting Chance trio win convincingly in Dunston

Mark White (left) with trainer Gary Barr (Images courtesy of www.ImagesBySW.com)

Fighting Chance's Craig Dixon, Mark White and Jone TK continued the stable's winning momentum with all three coming out on top at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston.

Mark White (1-0) topped the bill in his second professional fight, and outclassed Harvey Hemsley (3-16-1) to take a points decision victory. 

Hemsley holds a reputation of providing stern tests for upcoming prospects, and from the opening bell the super featherweight contest showed signs that it would be a crowd-pleaser as both boxers fought at a fast-paced tempo and exchanged heavy fire. 

In the second round, White displayed his impressive punch variety and the uppercut proved to be key in breaking down his opponent's defence. However the Birtley boxer didn't have it all his own way and was consistently tagged with stinging bodyshots in return. 

White's superior technique and conditioning paid dividends, as he looked the fresher man in the third and fourth round, which allowed him to find success through his quick-fire combinations. 

Upon hearing the referee's scorecard, White was crowned the winner through a 40-37 verdict in his favour. 

The 24-year-old moves his professional record to (2-0) and Hemsley proved to be the perfect learning fight for his development. 

After 11 months out, Craig Dixon (12-1) returned to the professional boxing scene with a bang as he scored the first stoppage of his career against Duane Grimes (1-8).

Dixon had not featured since his Northern Area title defeat to Lee Mould last November, but started the contest with purpose as he utilised his jab to set-up a number of scathing attacks which shook and hurt Grimes.

‘The Birtley Bullet’ stepped up a gear in the second round and dispatched of his opponent after landing a barrage of hooks that forced the referee to step-in and halt the contest.

By earning the first stoppage of his career and boosting his record to (13-1), Dixon sent a message of intent to his welterweight competitors and local rival Lee Mould, who was watching ringside.

Jone TK was the first Fighting Chance boxer of the night to feature, and marked his professional debut by beating Larry Olumbamiwo in a convincing points decision victory.

Olumbamiwo towered over TK with a considerable size advantage, but the Fijian heavyweight was able to use his speed and nimble footwork to land a number of effective ambush attacks.

TK continued to navigate past Olumbamiwo’s jab, but often found himself frustrated as the Londoner adopted negative tactics and fired little in return.

Olumbamiwo was shook momentarily in the third, but TK was unable to get rid off his opponent. However upon hearing the final bell, the Fighting Chance heavyweight won 40-37 on the referee's scorecard. 

TK, who joined Fighting Chance’s growing stable in June, made an impressive debut and will hope to build on his professional record in the coming months.

Elsewhere on the bill, Jeff Saunders continued his knock-out streak by defeating Sylwester Walczak in a first-round blowout, Tom Whitfield beat Danny Little in a points victory, and Richard O’Neil started his professional career with a win over Scott Hellman.

Fighting Chance Promotions would like to thank everyone who attended, and Beta 2, VGS Global, Electrical and Security Limited and Ravensworth Construction for their continued support. 

Mark White eager to follow-up impressive debut performance

As he approaches his second professional outing, Fighting Chance super featherweight Mark White is hoping to build on his impressive debut performance.

White, 24, was part of Steve Wraith’s three-fight bill in Morpeth last month, and received plaudits after a composed and disciplined display against Russ Midgley led him to win every round on the referee’s scorecard.

Following the victory, the Birtley boxer only had three days rest before returning to the gym for preparation for his next scheduled fight, on Oct 17 at the Lancastarian Suite, Dunston.

Prior to his debut in the paid ranks, White had not fought in a competitive contest for three years, and believes that now the ring-rust is gone there are no excuses to not improve in each and every fight.

He said: “I’m still buzzing from my professional debut. It was all-new as I hadn’t fought without headguards before.

“In the first round I suffered from ring rust, but after that I got into my rhythm and I was really happy with my performance.

“Now I’ve got back in the ring, it’s about improving each time. It kept me motivated to know that I had this fight so soon after my professional debut.

“I’ve been straight back into the gym and that’s made it easier, as my fitness is already there and my weight is on target.”

White is facing a much more experienced opponent this time round in the form of Harvey Hemsley, who has only won three of his twenty contests but has a reputation of providing stern opposition for upcoming prospects.

White insists that despite the step-up in opponent, it is key he concentrates on imposing his own strengths as opposed to worrying what his competitor can do.  

He added: “I don’t know anything about my opponent, but it doesn’t bother me. I’ll just keep putting the training in, and apply my hard work when it comes to fight night.

“I’m always looking to improve and hopefully I can do that on the 17^th of October.”

Tickets for Sudden Impact on Oct 17, at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston can be purchased from any fighters on the bill, or from www.relentlesspromotions.co.uk. Tickets from £35. 

Andrew Buchanan retires from boxing after eye injury

Andrew Buchanan has been forced to call time on his boxing career after suffering a serious eye injury.

The 35-year-old picked up the injury during sparring, and after seeking specialist help has been advised to retire to avoid further health implications.

The career-ending injury comes after a promising spell for Buchanan, in which he was unbeaten in six fights (two draws), and had progressed up the super middleweight rankings to earn an eliminator for the English title.

Speaking on the decision to retire, he said:

“The injury is constantly giving me bother, and the doctors have advised me to not take any risks with it. If I was young, I could get surgery, but at my age I think it is time to take a step-back from boxing.

“I have to put my health first. It has been a tough decision, but I need to do what is best for my family. They are always going to be number one, and I want to make sure I can be there for them.

“I would like to thank anyone who has seen me fight or supported me. I’ve really appreciated the support I have got over the years.”

Buchanan held a prestigious amateur record and boxed for England, but upon turning professional was often plagued with misfortune and inactivity.

The Newcastle boxer fought 11 times in a stop-start career, recording eight wins, two draws and just one defeat.

North East fight fans will hold Buchanan’s draw against Jonson McClumpha in high regard, as the six-round bout that featured on Phil Jeffries’ 2013 Summer Rumble was hailed as a contender for regional fight of the year.

Only five months later, Buchanan solidified his reputation as a technically sound operator by outpointing Gary Boulden over ten rounds to lift the International Masters title. 

But in a bid to box more regularly and aim for major titles, ‘El Cannon’ joined Fighting Chance’s stable in January 2015.

Although he only fought once under the Fighting Chance banner, Buchanan is extremely grateful for the opportunities provided at the Felling-based gym.

“I would have liked more fights under the Fighting Chance stable.

“Ron Rowe (FC chief coach) and Lewis Pendleton (FC director) have done everything they have said they would do when I originally signed. I really can’t fault them.

“They showed a lot of faith in me, and got me a lot of good opportunities. They pushed me towards a Northern Area title, and an English title eliminator."

Buchanan insists he will continue to support the Fighting Chance stable, and is hopeful that in the future he can step into a coaching role and pass on guidance to the rising crop.

He added: “I want some time with my family first, but I’ve spoke to Ron and Lewis about helping out in the future with Fighting Chance in a coaching role.

“It would be great to put something back into the sport. I still have a lot of boxing knowledge that I can pass on.

“I like picking up on certain techniques, and hopefully I can do that at the Fighting Chance gym.”

Fighting Chance chief coach, Ronnie Rowe worked with Buchanan as an amateur, before they re-united in the professional ranks.

Speaking on Buchanan’s decision to retire, he said:

“He has been a great part of the team. Unfortunately boxing is a tough sport and these things happen. We wish him all the best for the future.

“In the short period he has been with us, it has been a brilliant experience. We would love to have him back to help with coaching. He still has a lot to give to boxing, and will remain part of the Fighting Chance organisation."

Fighting Chance director, Lewis Pendleton added: “I’m incredibly disappointed that due to Andy’s serious eye injury, we will not be able to get him the title we promised.

“He is a model professional and a fantastic ambassador for the sport. He is probably the most gifted boxer to not win a major title.

“Everyone at Fighting Chance wishes Andy every success in the future. Ultimately he has made the right decision, as family and health is far more important than any boxing title.”