Kid Galahad wins 2013 rematch with a bloody beat down of James Dickens
Eddie Hearn’s fight camp will host a 2013 rematch fight for the vacant IBF featherweight championship featuring Kid Galahad (27-1,16ko) and former title challenger James “Jazza” Dickens (30-3, 11ko).
Jazza is remembered as the man who once had his jaw broken against then-WBA “Super” bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux back in 2016. However, he has rebuilt his career by winning both the WBO and IBF European featherweight titles. Moreover, he is on an eight-fight win streak and will be looking to avenge a 2013 knockout loss to Galahad.
Galahad is coming into this fight with a serious chip on his shoulder. First off, many fans believe he should have gotten the nod against then IBF champion Josh Warrington back in 2019. Furthermore, he was highly disappointed when Warrington vacated the title, denying him a chance at revenge. Galahad is motivated like never before and will bring his A-game.
INTERESTING FACTS
Galahad and Dickens are close friends. Furthermore, they have sparred almost hundreds of rounds. In 2013, Galahad defeated his friend for the vacant BBB of C super bantamweight title in September 2013. Two fighters are looking to seize the moment with the second chance the sport has granted them and fans should expect fireworks.
Galahad was entering the ring after an 18-month layoff and the ring rust was showing in the first round. Dickens was able to land the lead left-hand. Moreover, he was able to take advantage of Galahad not moving off the centerline and landed the counter left hook, also. There was a clash of heads that caused a cut over the left eye of Dickens.
However, Galahad started to remember who he is and was showing the difference in skill level. He was switching from orthodox to southpaw, confusing Jazza, landing the power jab and straight right-hands to the body. Galahad was letting his hands go, landing the uppercut and more hard body shots as Jazza was reluctant to fire back because of the pinpoint accuracy of Galahad.
IT WAS BECOMING A BLOODY AFFAIR
Both men said they were putting friendship aside and would fight hard to win the championship, and that is exactly what they did. Galahad’s accurate punches busted open the face of Dickens. He was landing continuous jabs, straight left, and right-hand counters between the guard of Dickens.
Dickens still had some fight left inside. He started to make a small comeback, landing a right uppercut combined with two hard left hooks. At one point, he even stunned Galahad with a good right hook counter. However, Galahad went back to work with that power jab, and straight left-hand that possibly broke the nose of Dickens.
THERE ARE LEVELS TO THIS
Dickens was out to prove he was a different fighter from their first encounter, eight years ago. Then, Galahad proved he was an elite-level fighter. It was turning into a sparring session going into the championship rounds. Galahad turned it up a notch by applying the pressure with effective aggressiveness. He was landing more hard body shots and straight left-hands, fighting out of the southpaw stance.
The referee did take one point away from Galahad in round ten for stepping on the toes. Not wanting to lose the round, he went back on the attack, unloading thudding body shots, and finally, at the end of round eleven, Dickens’ corner put an end to the beating.
Kid Galahad won the rematch and the world championship, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Hats off to James Dickens for showing tremendous heart.
During the post-fight interview, the newly crowned IBF featherweight champion made it clear he wants to clean out the division.
By: Garrisson Bland
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