James ‘Jazza’ Dickens will take on Albert Batyrgaziev on Wednesday, July 2nd for the WBA super-featherweight interim title.
Jazza Dickens is coming off an extremely impressive victory over Zelfa Barratt, who many believed would beat the Liverpudlian on the undercard of Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
Dickens moved to 35-5 that night, and holds wins over the likes of Barratt, Ryan Walsh, and Leigh Wood, who wants to rematch Josh Warrington.
Bloody Knockout spoke to Dickens ahead of his fight with Batyrgaziev, an accomplished amateur and undefeated pro.
Jazza Dickens was ducked by former champion ahead of his world title fight
Speaking on his upcoming opponent, 12-0 Olympic gold medallist Albert Batyrgaziev, Dickens said:
“If he was American or he was from the UK, I think we’d be saying he’s the next big thing or go on to be this or that. […] He’s just an opponent to me, you know, I’ve been a very experienced fighter myself. Maybe he’s one of the best fighters I will fight. Maybe I’m one of the best fighters he’s going to fight.”
When asked if he felt his extensive pro experience, boasting 40 pro fights, would be the difference in this title contest, Dickens said:
“Yeah, well, you can’t buy experience. That’s the old saying, isn’t it? It’s impossible to buy. […] Has he had the experience of a loss? Has he had the experience of the wisdom of what comes with a loss? So many things that he doesn’t know that he doesn’t know. So, it’s my job to exploit him and to put it all together on the night.”
When asked who was next, Dickens suggested he wasn’t looking past Batyrgaziev, but did reveal that one champion refused to fight him:
“I was asked to go to Atlanta to fight [Ray Ford]. […] He refused the payment that he would’ve got, but he was getting a lot more than me. It blew my mind.”
Jazza Dickens speaks on being underestimated
Dickens has earned this title shot after his big win over Barratt, with many expecting him to lose. Dickens spoke on his mindset going in as the underdog:
“Going into the fight, we heard like Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn getting interviewed, telling people how he was in talks to make the Ray Ford and Zelfa Barratt fight.”
“I’m sitting there thinking, you’re overlooking me and stuff like that. What do you think I am?”
Dickens summed up his prediction for the fight: “I just predict a win. That’s it.”