Jazza Dickens Makes Easy Work of Overmatched Andoni Gago
At the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, James “Jazza” Dickens (31-4, 12 KOs) took on Spain’s Andoni Gago (25-5-4, 7 KOs) in a ten-round featherweight contest. Dickens wanted to shake away the effects of his last bout. In August 2021, he was stopped in eleven rounds by “Kid” Galahad in a bout for the vacant IBF featherweight battle. In what was a rematch with Galahad, Dickens was beaten up and punished throughout.
Ranked number twelve by the IBF at 126 pounds, the 31-year-old southpaw faced a Gago who was fighting for the third time away from the comforts of Spain. He has fought in England previously. However, on that occasion, the 36-year-old was knocked out by former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby in the first round in March 2017.
HAVING IT HIS WAY
It was jabs, jabs, and more jabs from Dickens early. He used that punch to find his rhythm, set the tone, and reach his opponent. From there the two-time world title challenger stepped forward and let loose with combinations to the head and body. On the other hand, Gago exhibited poor body language from the opening bell.
Late in round three, the Spaniard went down from a series of shots. Although, replays showed the knockdown was more of a result of an accidental headbutt than punches.
Once establishing himself as the boss, Dickens started to employ footwork to box and create distance for himself. Gago was a level or two below, and you could sense the fight would end sooner rather than later. Late in the fifth, Dickens used the jab to set up and catch Gago with a beautiful left uppercut that put the Spaniard down for the count.
Overall, it was a solid performance from Dickens. Afterward, he said he’s interested in facing either IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington or WBA ‘regular’ champ Leigh Wood.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
