Sheffield '˜bad boy' boxer aims for new reputation

The Woodhouse southpaw turned professional in February at the age of 33, after no amateur career and only handful of unlicensed bouts.

Now Dixon, who fights on a Stefy Bull show at Doncaster Dome against Hull’s Paul O’Brien on May 14, wants to get his name known for the right reasons.

The former Westfield School pupil said: “I had lifestyle problems as a kid and was a bad lad who did stupid things, ending up in prison.

“I was product of my environment and went down some bad roads. It was survival of the fittest.

“But we all make mistakes and I have re-evaluated myself as a man since then and would never condone bad behaviour.

“I am trying to better myself.”

Dixon, who has a nine year old daughter, is training with Andy Marlow and Andrew Facey at the Dronfield Akademy gym, after winning his first professional fight.

“It is a good combination, Andy trains me on inside fighting and Andrew does the outside.

“It is the best of both worlds.

“I tried a few gyms but Dronfield has really been good for me. They give me good advice and I have hit the ground running.”

Dixon wants to put on a charity show to raise funds to support injured boxer Nick Blackwell.

A fan of retired American world champion Pernell Whitaker, he says: “My ambition is to be talked about in a good light - anything else, like a title, would be a bonus.”