PRESCRIBED PAIN
Dixon is ready to deliver on title dream
RHIANNON DIXON is the pharmacist who likes to hand out pain.
The Warrington warrior is out to complete her journey from novice to world champion in the space of five years and is confident she has the substance to do it.
And her only disappointment, if she beats Karen Carabajal to claim the WBO lightweight title once held by her idol Katie Taylor, will be that she won’t be allowed to bring her dog Honey to celebrate with her in the ring.
Dixon, 28, only found the sport while in her last year of university studying pharmacy when she went to a gym looking to be like MMA fighter Ronda Rousey.
It set her on the path to Wigan where she began white collar boxing – an unlicensed form of the sport for raw novices – in tiny sports halls.
But now she will be at Manchester Arena tonight looking to claim a world title under the tutelage of former world champion Anthony Crolla.
“It’s pretty crazy,” said Dixon. “I didn’t know what I was doing back then but after a few fights I fell in love with it.”
Dixon opted to turn pro, with the help of friend and fellow fighter James Moorcroft, and convinced Crolla to train her but she was still juggling work.
“During Covid, I wanted to work,” she said. “I did my degree to help people. But there were times I was having to cover up bruises on my face with make-up before doing the rounds at Warrington hospital.”
Dixon continued to deliver her own brand of medicine in the ring, climbing the ladder and getting the attention of promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom as well as manager Paul Ready and now boasts a 9-0 record.
But she’s still trying to win over her dad. With a brother, Andrew, who is a rugby league player with Salford, she still feels in the shadow but not for long.
“I want him to go to the pub and brag about me,” she said.
“It is hard for my parents to understand it, they weren’t sure about me fighting.
“I’m not sure they are now still. But they always support me in what I do.”
Dixon, who is a European and Commonwealth champion already, will need to become just the second person – after Taylor – to beat Argentine Carabajal, to claim world honours.
It will be quite the achievement for such an inexperienced fighter and she will be rushing home with the belt to see her dog.
“I wish I could bring Honey for the pictures in the ring afterwards,” she said. “Maybe I’ll ask Eddie Hearn if they’ll let me in the arena with my dog.”