Craig Dickson, unbeaten in eight professional appearances, is starting to be talked about as a decent domestic prospect. BBN caught up with the Glaswegian welterweight recently and chewed the fat on his hopes for the future and how he thinks his career has progressed thus far.
RM: How are you doing Craig? CD: Yeah, Good.
RM: Well done on keeping your undefeated record intact, last week. (Craig had to get off the floor to earn a draw against Welshman Taz Jones). How did the fight go? CD: It was really hard, you know. I could have definitely boxed better. I wasn't moving my head enough and didn't stick to my game plan. As a matter of fact, I ended up going toe to toe. The guy came to fight - he wasn't a brawler, but he was a tough boxer and just kept coming. Before the fight, I had talked to (Kevin) McIntyre, who also trains under John McDermott, and he told me to put him on the back foot. He'd seen him before, so was in a good position to analyse his style. So, on that advice, I took the fight to him. I felt, if it wasn't for the flash knock-down, I would've won clearly. That really set me back, because of the 10-8 round. Afterwards, I talked to some ringside observers and folk who'd watched the fight, and they felt I'd won....But I'll bounce back.
RM: About that knockdown, were you hurt? CD: Not at all. More shocked than anything. He clipped me with a good left hook, when I was square-on, so it was something of a balance shot. I'd say I took it well.
RM: Do you want a rematch with Jones, or are you moving on? CD: I'll move on for a few fights, but I'd like to fight him again. He's without doubt a worthy opponent. I mean, he's been boxing away from home, and getting results.
RM: Was Jones your toughest fight so far? CD: Definitely.
RM: Your good friend Craig Docherty is challenging for the European title this Friday. How do you see that fight going? CD: Sinitsin will come forward and take the fight to Doc. Craig will move his head, use his jab, and set up the bodywork. He'll keep a tight defence, really feel this guy out. It is essential that he keeps his cool and I think he will. He'll definitely get to him in the later rounds, but he's a tough, hard, hard guy. A really awkward, ugly fighter. I think it'll go to the cards, but Craig will win.
RM: In three to five years, where will Craig Dickson be? What does the future hold? CD: Well, hopefully I've learned from my last fight. It should be the making of me. In the next two years I'd like to fight for a British or Commonwealth title. In the meantime, I could fight for a Celtic title or something, maybe even with Taz Jones - it was a great fight, and deserves a great rematch.
RM: Who are your favourite boxers, past or present? CD: Sugar Ray Leonard and Arturo Gatti.
RM: Do you have a nickname? CD: No.
RM: Who works your corner? CD: John McDermott, Davie Simpson, and sometimes Benny King.
RM: For some of the fans out there who don't know your style, how do you box? Are you a puncher, or a boxer? Maybe a bit of both? CD: I would say more of a box-fighter. I've got 4 KO's in 7 wins. I had a guy called Earnie Smith down twice, he should've been stopped, he even spat out his gumshield. I'd say I'm a good body puncher, as well.
RM: How would you say your fitness is at this point? CD: At this point, it's not bad, I've just fought you know, had a wee break. It's just below peak.
RM: Training under a guy like John McDermott must be only good for your career. How is the sparring going? Do you spar different fighters, or mainly one guy? CD: Mainly Jamie Coyle (another unbeaten novice pro), of late. The opportunities have been aplenty though, I've even sparred Doc. Kev McIntyre, another southpaw...Even James Hare, albeit rarely.
RM: Hare is quality. How much do you rate him? CD: He's very cagey you know, a pure counter puncher. He's tricky as well, he feints and waits for his opponents to come inside, before countering with big shots. He's primarily a boxer, but he can hurt you as well.
RM: I heard you started boxing late. Has that been bad for your career, do you feel you would've been more confident going into the pros, with more amateur experience? CD: Oh definitely. But I can only take the cards I'm dealt. It should prolong my career in the long run. I should last longer, into my thirties, because I haven't had as many gym wars and amateur fights as everybody else. My body hasn't been done in as much. I eat very healthily as well, so I'd say I'm taking care of myself, fitness wise.
