Redemption. It is always one of sport’s greatest story-lines.
Add a high level of violence and it becomes a must-watch attraction.
All the above is set to draw in the crowds to Rainton Arena, where Mark Dickinson plans to atone for his Co Durham derby defeat to Troy Williamson back in September at the same auditorium.
Dickinson is the star turn this Saturday (April 11) at a bold debut event by Boss Boxing, the newest North-East promotion company, headed by Danny Inskip.
The West Rainton boxer is the favourite for the £12,000 prize at the four-man light-heavyweight tournament.
Dickinson will meet unbeaten Adrian Redman in his semi-final while the other elimination bout sees Boris Crighton tackle Grant Dennis.
Dickinson (8-2) is the youngest and most gifted of the quartet and, at first glance, you’d be hard pushed to make any case for his three rivals.
But the hefty first prize is motivation in itself, not to mention the glory. This isn’t going to be a cakewalk for the 26-year-old.
On the subject of motivation, that will be high within the walls of Dickinsons School of Boxing in Fencehouses.
It all went horribly wrong for Mark at the maiden defence of his English super-middleweight title against Williamson in September when Matchroom and DAZN visited Rainton Meadows.
First, the highly-decorated ex-Birtley ABC and GB Boxing man came to the scales five pounds overweight and, as a consequence, was forced to relinquish his belt.
Given the weight disparity, it was touch and go whether the BBBC would even allow the bout to go ahead. Thankfully, for the fans at any rate, it did and Dickinson’s speed and skills had him in front, marginally, going into the ninth round.
Sadly, for Dickinson, he would be on the wrong end of one of the best finishes in boxing. Anywhere.
A short left hook left opened up Dickinson before a powerhouse right through the middle dropped him. He did well to get back up, but soon after, referee Reece Carter was waving it off.
While ‘Trojan’ has gone from strength to strength, by winning the British, Commonwealth and European titles and entering the top end of the world rankings, Mark has gone back to work at Dickinsons School of Boxing under coach (and gifted brother) Jacob.
It’s now time to put that graft into practice, starting with that semi-final against Redman.
The Londoner, like Dickinson, has fought 10 times as a professional, constructing a fine record. His ninth and most recent win came at the York Hall in London’s Eastend, where he outpointed Jose Aguirre, from Costa Rica.
Harlesden’s 35-year-old, known as ‘The Ruler’ has only failed to win once, having been held to a draw last year by Tom Ramsden last October at the same Bethnal Green venue.
The Grimsby boxer, like Jordan Ellison from our neck of the woods, might box for the money but can be a danger to any undefeated prospect so that 57-all scoreline is no disgrace.
If Dickinson v Redman is a battle between boxers on their way up, the other semi-final is a match between two men who have very much been there and worn the t-shirt.
Dennis, at 42, is the senior member of the quartet with a long and distinguished career, which currently reads 19-20. An ex-Southern Area champion and English title challenger, he has ‘previous’ with Dickinson, having been stopped by ‘Boo Boo’ in five rounds at the Utilita Arena in November 2023.
Crighton would appear to be the dangerman to Dickinson if the home favourite makes it through. The 32-year-old, who brings a 14-7 fight log to the Houghton venue, has also been a visitor to the North-East where he registered the seventh of his eight stoppage successes.
The Scot halted Matt McCallum in the ninth round of the 2022 Jobes Boxing Christmas cracker in Gateshead.
Saturday has the potential to also be a cracker and Danny Inskip deserves enormous credit for his ambitious opening instalment.
Three unbeaten North-East talents provide the supporting cast with six rounders.
Newbiggin’s Ben Rees is chasing his seventh professional win against Pavol Garaj, from Slovakia, while another former Birtley boy, Shaun Huddart is up against Diego Tananta, one of those rarities in the sport – a boxer from darkest Peru.
Hartlepool’s Jason Cumming resumes his promising career after a bout of hand trouble against Mexico’s Yahir Morales.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom Boxing
