James Dickens wants to prove himself the world's best super-featherweight in WBA title fight against Anthony Cacace
James "Jazza" Dickens, 34, is the WBA super-featherweight champion; After beating highly-rated Olympic gold medallist Albert Batyrgaziev, the Liverpudlian faces Anthony Cacace in Dublin in March
Monday 9 February 2026 14:02, UK
Boxing superstars Tyson Fury and Terence Crawford were ringside to see James "Jazza" Dickens secure the greatest victory of his career in Istanbul last year.
Dickens beat outstanding Olympic gold medallist Albert Batyrgaziev. That victory saw Dickens secure the WBA Interim super-featherweight title which would be upgraded to the full world championship.
But the Liverpool-born fighter couldn't help but liken his victory to that of a slightly different figure of boxing folklore.
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"When I was a kid growing up, we all loved Rocky," the boxer told Sky Sports.
"For me, it was Rocky IV. I always wanted to have 100 fights and win a world title. [My world title fight] was my 100th fight, and I was watching Rocky IV growing up."
Just like Sylvester Stallone's famous character, Dickens is used to being the underdog.
It was no different in this fight. Despite Dickens' status as a veteran professional fighter, his opponent Batyrgaziev was undefeated as a pro, younger and the heavily favoured boxer going into the title bout.
"[The odds against me] were six to one. Batyrgaziev was steaming through everyone, wasn't he?" Dickens reflected.
"But some fighters just know that 'this is my night tonight', and that was one of those nights for us.
"Luckily, it was on the best night of all, when it matters.
"I was fighting the Olympic champion from Russia, you know, just like Rocky, and that's just the way it went. Couldn't make it up, really."
Despite winning the belt on an interim basis initially, his super-featherweight belt was upgraded to fully-fledged world championship status after former holder Lamont Roach moved up in weight.
It meant Dickens, who turned professional more than 14 years ago, fulfilled a lifelong dream, one fuelled by another Merseyside legend.
"I've seen a picture of John Conteh on the wall the first day I ever went into a boxing gym and I said, 'I want to win a world title like him,'" Dickens recalled.
"I was thinking, years of hard work, you know, all I ever wanted to do in life was to call myself a world champion.
"As a kid growing up, coming out of my circumstances in life, as a point of proof, a bit of a chip on my shoulder, and I said: 'If I can just be world champion, just one day.'
"I'm very blessed to be in this position right now."
But he insists that, even at 34, there's more to come from him. "In this last year there with my coach Albert [Ayrapetyan], I just feel like I've started all again," he said. "I have the mindset of an adult, but the youth of a young fella, it's unbelievable.
"I'd say that's where you find your peak - I still don't believe I'm there yet."
Dickens' first title defence will see him take on the Northern Ireland's Anthony Cacace in Dublin on March 14.
"I've got a great level of respect for Anthony Cacace, just as a man as well as a fighter," Dickens said. "He's a humble champion. There's people who I look up to, people who I root for, so it's going to be hard not rooting for him in this one."
His ultimate goal now is to be regarded as the best fighter in the division. He wants to unify world titles.
"There's a difference between being a world champion, and the world champion," the Liverpudlian said. "I want to be the world champion."
