ISTANBUL, Turkey – James “Jazza” Dickens caused a huge upset tonight in Istanbul, Turkey, stopping Albert Batyrgaziev for the WBA junior lightweight interim title.
The contest, which was held by the International Boxing Association (IBA), was billed as a world championship fight. Dickens treated it as such, and blitzed through the hard-hitting Batyrgaziev to claim the belt inside four rounds, with the referee Gustavo Padilla waving the action off at 2:26.
The interim title is not seen by many as a legitimate world championship, but Dickens may not have to worry; the owner of the full title, Lamont Roach Jnr, looks to stick around at 135lbs by rematching Gervonta Davis, and it is highly likely he may vacate. Should that happen, Dickens, who rises to 36-5 (15 KOs), would be elevated to full champion by the WBA.
The heavy-handed Batyrgaziev came out strongly behind his southpaw jab, and thumped it into Dickens’ guard. Dickens, however, was not deterred and pressed forward, landing a southpaw left to the body. Things really started to heat up in the second as Batyrgaziev, 27, pressed the action and landed a hard left hand which knocked Dickens’ head back. Again Dickens did not retreat; he pressed forwards and landed a hard right hook as the bell sounded.
Dickens, 34, spurred on by the hard right he landed at the close of the second, came out for the third round with a spring in his step. He bobbed and weaved as he came forward and planted in a left hand to Batyrgaziev’s midsection. The Russian took it well, but it looked as though he was struggling to deal with the power of Dickens. That suspicion proved correct when in the fourth Dickens landed an overhand left which turned Batyrgaziev’s legs to jelly. The Russian wobbled around the ring and Dickens landed a right that sent Batyrgaziev sprawling on the canvas.
The Russian made it to his feet to beat the 10 count, but it was clear that Batyrgaziev was in a bad way. He was allowed to continue, but Dickens jumped on him, unloading shots to the head and body. Batyrgaziev retreated to the ropes, but it was there he received the finishing blow. A left hand from Dickens landed on the top of the Russian’s head and sent him tumbling through the ropes. Batyrgaziev bravely climbed back to his feet but his corner had seen enough and threw in the towel to prevent him taking any more.
The Russian falls to 12-1 (8 KOs) with the defeat, and while Dickens will have to wait to see what happens with Roach’s title, it is more than likely he will become yet another world champion from the fighting city of Liverpool, England.
