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.

'Summer Showdown 1’ postponed

Due to minor injuries to key fighters on the bill, ‘Summer Showdown 1’ has been postponed.

The show was originally scheduled for July 24, but Relentless Promotions and Fighting Chance have made the decision to re-schedule.

Travis Dickinson was set to headline the bill, as he was looking to get back on track after suffering a first round stoppage defeat to Mustafa Chadlioui in April.

Speaking on the postponement, Fighting Chance director Lewis Pendleton said:

“Whilst we are disappointed to have to postpone the show, collectively myself, Ron Rowe, Steve Wraith and Danny Cox are all in agreement that postponing the show is the best option.

“Injuries are inevitable in boxing and it’s a shame that it has caused the show to be postponed. But with the injuries sustained we didn’t feel it was right to go-ahead, as the paying public deserve a card of high caliber.

"Those who bought tickets from the fighters can either use their ticket on the re-scheduled show, or alternatively can get a refund from the point of purchase."

An additional show was also planned for September 18, with Danny Wall making his highly anticipated professional debut. However, the postponement of 'Summer Showdown 1' has caused a knock-on effect, meaning the show in September will also have to be re-scheduled.

Further information will be available in due course and Fighting Chance would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Purse bids ordered for English title clash between Travis Dickinson and Miles Shinkwin

Miles Shinkwin has been named as the mandatory challenger for Travis Dickinson's English light heavyweight title.

The English Championship stewards have put the contest to purse bids, with the deadline being the 12th of August, and the fight set to take place before the end of November.

Dickinson captured the English title in March of last year, where he defeated Danny McIntosh in a third round stoppage victory.

In his first defence of the title, Dickinson was involved in an enthralling contest against Matty Clarkson, which was subsequently labelled as a contender for fight of the year. Both fighters tasted the canvas on three occasions, but the Birtley-born boxer was crowned the winner after the referee halted the contest -  due to Clarkson's broken jaw leaving him in no fit state to continue.

Shinkwin, who holds an unblemished record in 11 fights, will hope to add to his Southern Area strap, and a match-up against Dickinson would mark familiar territory, as the pair held a competitive rivalry in the unpaid ranks.

Back in April, Dickinson suffered a damaging first round defeat to Mustafa Chadlioui, but the 27-year old has the chance to put his career back on track when he headlines Summer Showdown 1 on July 24, which takes place at the Academy For Sport at Gateshead International Stadium.

Andrew Buchanan will also feature on the stacked card, and will be hopeful that an English title shot could be on the horizon after the proposed English title contest between Jahmaine Smyle and Kelvin Young received no purse bids.

Fighting Chance stablemates Jone TK and Mark White will make their professional debuts on the July 24 bill, while Lewis Scott is looking to avenge his defeat to Simone Lucas.

Tickets for the Relentless Promotions, in association with Fighting Chance Promotions, Summer Showdown show, at the Academy For Sport at Gateshead International Stadium, on July 24 are available from all fighters on the bill and direct from http://www.wraithpromotions.com or by calling 0191 2299632. Tickets start from £35.