Standing behind the Park End goal at Goodison Park, Jazza Dickens just can’t help but pinch himself.
2022 has been a year he will never forget. He is just over an hour away from capping off 12 months to remember with a trip onto the hallowed turf.
Dickens will soon be introduced to the Goodison faithful as a world champion. A moment he thought might never happen, no matter how hard he tried.
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After failing with two previous world title attempts, Dickens wrote his name into the history books after claiming the IBO world featherweight title back in October.
In front of a packed out Eventim Olympia, Dickens came through 12 tough rounds of boxing against Lerato Dlamini, who certainly proved to be no pushover, to pick up the memorable victory on points.
“I didn’t have many fights but I had important fights. I got the IBO world title which will lead me into 2023,” he tells the ECHO ahead of Everton’s game with Wolves.
“It is surreal because I have got my little fella with me. For him to see it, it makes me look back and see where I was. It is nice.
“I always wondered what it would be like at the top of the sport and you see a lot of people taking, but what it does it gives you the ability to give more. You have more to give and that’s just the way it is. It is just a great position to be in.”
Dickens is different from other boxers. He doesn't crave attention and takes heart from being loved and respected by those in the sport and his local community.
And helping the local community is important for the 31-year-old. In fact, he sees it as his responsibility to help the youth of today and inspire them to make the right life choices.
“Not everyone has got it easy and when you are living a nice life you can forget that other people aren’t,” said Dickens.
“We have got a great community project called 'Jazza in the ComUNITY' helping families suffering with addiction and stuff like that.
“We have come together and it is amazing. Every time I am there I just think all the hard work I have put in has put me in this position to give back. When you are giving, that is the best form of taking in my opinion.
“When people talk about 'giving back' I don’t get it. It is the best feeling in the world if you can help someone, so I like to share the goodness.
“There is a lot that goes on in the community in Liverpool and I work closely with Weapons Down Gloves Up. They are doing great work.”
Dickens will be accompanied onto the Goodison pitch by his young son. The two of them will enter the field of play to Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel.
The song is the one Dickens uses as his ring walk music. He has been on the pitch before, showing off the British title he won against Josh Wale back in March 2015, but this time it is different.
Not only will Dickens be holding his IBO belt, but he will have his son alongside him. It is an opportunity for him to reflect on how far he has come.
“The last time I came on the pitch was with the British title. It means a lot to me that we have come this far,” he says.
“But most importantly, my little fella gets to see his arl fella is living the right way and can do whatever he wants to do in life because he has seen his arl fella has done it.”
Dickens will defend his IBO crown in the opening months of 2023. The fight will take place in Liverpool.
But the huge Everton supporter has his eye on another first. The Blues’ new Bramley-Moore Dock ground should be ready for the 2024/25 season.
Speaking to the ECHO back in October, Peter McGrail, who is also a lifelong Everton fan, admitted his sights are set on becoming a world champion at the club’s new stadium.
And Dickens, who is also under the Probellum banner with McGrail, would love nothing more than to 'bless' the club’s new ground with his own world title.
“Me and Peter were sitting on Toffee TV and we were speaking, and we also spoke to Probellum, about what it would be like to have a show at the new stadium,” he tells the ECHO.
“I have got a world title now and to bless the new stadium with a world title would be amazing. To do that, I think I am at the right club because Everton just get behind the people.
"Just today, to allow me to go on the pitch, it is a special thing. They are great with the communities. I think I am at the right club and hopefully I can do it one day.”
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