CARL Dickens is confident a gruelling ten-week training programme will pay dividends when he fights for the British Challenge Belt at Villa Park in March.
‘The Wallop’ will get his hands on the belt when he headlines the March 19 show in the Holte Suite if he can prevail for the eighth time in nine professional bouts.
However, the Winyates East boxer knows victory will not come easily so is putting everything into his preparations to ensure he is fully prepared for what will be his first eight-round bout.
The 31-year-old middleweight said: “The British Challenge Belt is a new and improved version of a British Masters Belt.
“I have dreamed of fighting for this belt and have worked so hard to reach this stage, so I’m putting everything into my training schedule to make sure I take this chance.
“Sometimes in the past there have been some underserving boxers fighting for Masters belts, but they’ve stopped that nonsense now. To get these fights you have to have proved yourself and earned your chance and I feel like I have done that.
“My opponent will be no mug and he’s got a winning record, but I know I’ll have what it takes to win come fight night.”
Dickens, who has already got seven tables worth of supporters committed to travelling from Redditch to back him on the night, is now solely training at Eastside ABC in Small Heath, Birmingham, under the stewardship of Paul ‘Soggy’ Counihan and Jon Pegg.
“Things are going really well with those two guys and they’ve got me on a great ten-week programme which is now underway,” added Dickens.
“Things will get really intense four weeks before the fight but I’m already having some superb sparring with some great boxers like Sam Eggington, Dan Breeze and Craig Cunningham.
“I’m sparring with people who are Midlands and British champions and in Sam’s case a Commonwealth welterweight champion, so it’s fantastic for me.
“I wish Gary (Blower – trainer) and all the lads at my previous club Studio ABC all the best, but I was the only professional left there so I had to move on solely to Eastside.
“I’m taking some blows in sparring off these guys now and giving some back, but that’s what it’s all about and I am learning all the time. It’ll only make me better.
“Once again I’ve got to say thanks to all my fans who are wishing me well and who are coming to watch me.
“Their support means everything to me and really inspires me. Tickets are selling well so please get in touch if you’d like to come and support me because it’s going to be a great occasion.
“I’d like to thank my sponsors Passion VIP, IDM Electrical, Third Party Solutions and Frielco Driving School.”
To buy tickets for the event, call 07411 936522 or visit the Carl ‘The Wallop’ Dickens Facebook page and leave a message.
