JAZZA DICKENS was not missing his title fight against Anthony Cacace for the world – even if it meant flying HIMSELF over.
Dickens, the WBA featherweight champion, is based out in Dubai which has been subject to horror air strikes from Iran.
But the 34-year-old has a world title defence scheduled against Ireland’s Cacace at the 3Arena this Saturday.
So Dickens took an aircraft – posting a video of himself flying it from the cockpit – to take a diverted flight over to Dublin.
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren told SunSport: “Oh, it’s been very difficult but we had to do it.
“So we got in the Queensberry airforce and got him there and got him back. And he’s back.”
Dubai was among the Middle Eastern countries targeted due to the UAE’s ties with the United States – who have ongoing conflict with Iran.
Boxers including Chris Eubank Jr and Anthony Yarde – who is promoted by Warren – have posted worrying videos on the ground in Dubai.
And Warren said: “I think it’s worrying for them and I think it’s worrying for for a lot of people what’s going on out there and let’s hope it’s over with soon.”
The WBA belt vacated by American Lamont Roach will be on the line when Dickens takes on hometown hero Cacace.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov while Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven.
Conor Benn features for the first time since making the switch to Zuffa Boxing and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
March
- Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – George Liddard vs Tyler Denny – British & Commonwealth Middleweight title – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV
April
- Sat 4 – Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora – DAZN PPV
- Sun 5 – Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper – Sky Sports
- Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix
- Sat 11 – Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis – Netflix
- Sat 18 – Callum Smith vs David Morrell – DAZN
- Sat 18 – Manny Pacquiao vs Ruslan Provodnikov
- Sat 25 – Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka – DAZN
May
- Sat 2 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
- Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN
- Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
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Dickens upset the applecart in Turkey last against Albert Batyrgaziev for the interim belt – and was elevated to the full belt in December.
Warren said: “He signed with me when he turned pro. He won a youth Olympics I think he won.
“Yeah, he done OK but he was one of them, dipped in and out but he went out to Turkey as an underdog.
“Most people didn’t think he was gonna do it and he did it in style and came back with the belt.”
Cacace, 37, too has enjoyed a late purple patch in his career with nine wins on the spin over seven years and an IBF belt.
Warren said: “When the penny dropped a couple of years ago he showed what he’s all about and he’s had some super wins.
“So this is a good fight between two seasoned professionals.”
