Tony Conquest (right) has targeted a showdown with Jon Lewis Dickinson before the year ends

Conquest is eyeing that Lonsdale Belt once more

Len Whaley Thursday, October 18, 2012
10:20 AM

Local hope Tony Conquest has targeted a 2012 showdown with northern rival Jon Lewis Dickinson, who won the vacant British cruiserweight title in Liverpool on Saturday night.

Dickinson, a 26-year-old from Birtley, County Durham, won the title by beating tough rival Shane McPhilbin. Undefeated Southern Area champion Conquest admitted he expected that victory – but getting his chance against the winner will not be easy.

“I thought Dickinson would take the title, and I am looking forward to the chance of chellenging him, but I fear he may be looking for easier fights before facing me,” said the undefeated Conquest.

Conquest, with 10 straight wins and the WBO international title to his credit, is looking forward to defending the title at the ExCeL Arena in Docklands in December on the big Frank Warren promotion that also features world titleholder Ricky Burns, plus George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders.

It has been a successful 2012 for the boxer they call the ‘Conqueror’, who is at last breaking into the big time after earlier injury setbacks checked his progress.

His bad luck continued early this year, when a hand injury cost him a title chance, but he seized a Southern Area title chance in July when he halted Leon Williams in two minutes 26 seconds of the opening round.

He admits that was his best win yet: “Leon Williams was the former British champion and he had also beaten me as an amateur. At the same time it was difficult as we are good mates.

“It was really hard getting over that friendship hurdle, but I’m sure he would have done the same to me,” admitted Conquest with a smile.

He followed up by claiming the WBO international title in the same York Hall ring in September – blasting out Irish rival Ian Tims, who retired after seven rounds.

However, with two titles in little more than two months, the 28-year-old is looking forward to more championship action.

No doubt his long-time ambition has been to win a Lonsdale belt and he is looking forward to getting his British title chance against champion Dickinson.