Dickinson takes convincing victory (From The Northern Echo)

Dickinson takes convincing victory

11:27pm Friday 15th February 2013 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

JON-LEWIS DICKINSON won the North-East battle for supremacy to successfully defend his British cruiserweight crown for the first time.

The Birtley 26-year-old had too much for Sunderland's David Dolan in front of a passionate 1,400-strong crowd at Rainton Meadows Arena to claim the 13th win of his 15-fight professional career.

Dickinson, who got his hands on the belt for the first time in October when he overcame Shane McPhilibin, did not have it all his own way against a dogged and determined Dolan but was the unanimous champion on points (118-111, 118-111, 117-112).

Dolan, 33, in white shorts with a red trim, started like a boxer hungry to deliver on what could be his final shot at the British title he had missed out on twice before.

But Dickinson, in predictable contrast sporting black and white, started just as brightly and had the better of the opening rounds even if both fighters landed good punches.

After the exciting start, and with Dolan trailing, it seemed inevitable there would be a drop in the intensity and the started to materialise through the sixth.

The seventh was a big round. From the moment Dickinson landed a right in the opening seconds, Dolan had to deal with a number of jabs to his chin.

In fairness to the former Commonwealth gold medalist, though, he dug deep to make life difficult for his former sparring partner in the remaining rounds when there was little between the pair.

But with the more experienced Dolan, who came away with a lot of credit, effectively requiring a stoppage in the final round it never arrived and Dickinson held on.