Light at the end of the tunnel for Dodson

By Elliot Worsell: "I'm 25 next week," said former British super middleweight champion Tony Dodson, his voice tinged with disbelief and disappointment. He feels as though the annual calendar has skipped a year somewhere. For a man who eats, sleeps and lives boxing as doggedly as the Liverpool-born ex champ, it has.

In November 2003 Dodson realised a life-long dream by lifting the coveted British title, overpowering Kilmarnock's Allan Foster in 11 rounds. Pitched at ringside alongside loyal promoter Barry Hearn, Dodson animatedly told everyone how he'd dreamt of that moment since he was six-years-old. 18 months on and Dodson still hasn't laced up a pair of gloves and boxed competitively. He's seen three anticipated grudge matches with Carl Froch go by the wayside as well as various comeback dates scuppered. His British title, a now distant memory of the past.

For Dodson a life without boxing is no life at all: "I've been involved in boxing since I saw Rocky 4 in 1986. That's 18 years of boxing being a part of my life," he explained. "It's in my blood and I can't deny that. There's been periods during the last 18 months where I've just wanted to hang up the gloves because it's all got too much for me."

"In reality though, boxing's got a hold on me," admits the former 168lbs British champion, who, through no fault of his own, never defended the crown. "For a clean living person like myself it's the only drug or thrill I do. I love people talking about me and rating me as a good boxer. I love the roar of the crowd when I box. I love seeing myself box on TV and listening to people commenting on what I'm doing in the ring. I can't escape that buzz."

At present though, the fiercely determined Dodson can get nowhere near that 'buzz' he craves. He's a box-oholic out of rehab and living without the one thing he desires. His last comeback date, a doomed May 13 slot in Liverpool, collapsed merely days before lift-off and marked an all-time low for the usually happy-go-lucky Liverpudlian.

"It was just a build-up of things really," Dodson begins. "I was being paid £1,500 to box Simeon Cover in a four-rounder, the show had received no promotion whatsoever, and hardly anyone even knew I was boxing. As a result I sold very few tickets, so I couldn't help cover my opponents purse. So then my purse would have to be sacrificed by various people, and I just caved in."

"I didn't feel the need to do this (boxing) anymore. So I pulled out of the date and just went into a rut. It was like when I suffered the (car) crash and had to pull out of the Froch fight, but this time it was just the effect of everything. I sat with my girlfriend and my son one night and was in tears. I was inconsolable."

Of course, as Tony mentioned, setback and adversity are not a foreign occurrence for the former Central Area champion. Still considered a prospect at 24 years of age, Dodson turned pro in July 1999 at the age of 19 following a glittering junior amateur career, and romped to a series of stoppage wins that led to high-praise from Matchroom Sport promoter Barry Hearn.

Despite three professional defeats on the ledger and numerous unfortunate cancellations, Hearn's support has never wavered, Dodson says: "I spoke to Barry on the phone after pulling out of the May 13 date and he said I did exactly the right thing. He said I wasn't a small hall fighter who should be relying on ticket sales to make money. That I was the former British champion and that, although it was a comeback fight, I should have had things more on my terms. He's always believed I have the ability go to the very top."

Hearn's vow to assist Dodson didn't stop there, either. Having split from long-time trainer John Rice, Tony was on the lookout for pastures new, something inspirational, and something to get the creative juices flowing again. He sought a kick-start, some attention, and a sense of belonging.

Hearn guided Dodson towards respected Belfast amateur boxing coach Gerry Storey, father of former British champion Sam (who interestingly became the first ever British super middleweight titleholder in 1989). 63-year-old Storey also developed the careers of Irish boxing greats Barry McGuigan and Hugh Russell, led the Irish Olympics team on four occasions and guided Neil Sinclair and Jim Webb to glory in the Commonwealth Games.

Dodson, with a revised plan and a fresh target to aim for, leapt at the opportunity to work with Storey. A rejuvenated, beaming Dodson, picks up the story: "The chance is heaven sent really. I was stuck in a rut before and really needed something to get me going again."

"I'll be going out to Belfast at the beginning of August for four weeks, leading up to a fight in September on Sky Sports," he explains. "Barry Hearn has sorted it all out for me. I'll be doing some work with Gerry Storey, who is very highly thought of within amateur boxing and has won lots of awards for his achievements with the national amateur side. He was telling me about the awards he's been getting recently and the Hollywood celebrities he's been meeting as a result of his achievements."

Void of any luck in the past 18 months, Dodson now appears to belong. The Irish setting, he explains, could not be better suited to his needs.

"It's perfect for me. I went over there last week and met up with Gerry who explained to me that, because his wife was ill, he needed something to take his mind off things. He said he wanted to put all his efforts behind getting me back on track and getting me back where I belong," Dodson enthused.

"It's a great change of scenery for me. It's been so hard the last year or so with my son growing up. The sleepless nights had have been unreal. To look after my son, go running, go to the gym, diet right, and all for no fight at the end of it, just got the better of me. I was snapping at everyone, feeling really down, and was extremely tired."

"Going to Belfast gets me away from everything, though. It's the chance to just focus on boxing and nothing else for four weeks. The gym and the hills are something else, and Jerry won't have a problem with my attitude towards training or my lifestyle. He said the only problem he's had in the past is when his fighters leave him for the weekend and he hasn't a clue where they are going or what they are up to."

"I told him that won't be a problem for me. I said you can lock me in a hotel room with my computers and some games, and that's my weekend right there! I can't handle a drink, so there's no need to go out. I'm gone after one pint!"

Tony may be near-enough teetotal outside the ropes, but in the last 18 months Dodson has been living through a metaphorical drunken haze. Unable to think straight, fatigued, fed up, depressed and wanting to sober up and get back in touch with reality - Dodson may avoid the liquor, but he still relates to the feeling. The opportunities beginning to open up in front of him have cleared the cranium, however, and the sobering up process is just beginning.

"I still have plenty of time left," Dodson excitedly claims, as though he's just knocked back a couple of enthusiasm pills. "I'm 24 at the moment, just approaching my prime, and still have a good five or six years left in me. You're looking at about 20 fights in that space of time."

"I've been starting to plan my route back, and ideally I'm looking at a six rounder in September followed by a couple of eights and then hopefully followed by some domestic title opportunities. I watched that Ryan Walls the other month, and just last week he beat Cover for my old WBF Intercontinental title; I'd love to fight him - I know I'd win that."

An avid fight-fan as well as a high-class boxer, Dodson appears to have regained his fervour for the sport. His interest, as expected, dipped during his hiatus (Tony helped out at his Dad's pub for some time to compensate for the lack of boxing income) and he was effectively a boxer with boxing in his heart but no longer on his brain. It's the same with many ex pros who find the transition from boxing life to normal life a demanding one - and in some cases, an impossible one. For 18 months and coming off the biggest win of his career, Dodson was forced to live the normal life and cut out boxing from his daily diet. He just about made it.

Now his re-interest in the game could not be more noticeable. On July 8th's third British title meeting between champion Michael Jones and Jamie Moore, Dodson says: "Michael needs to hurt Jamie early and gain his respect. If he can't hurt him in the first few rounds Jamie will just get stronger, grow in confidence and grind him down. I've heard Michael's been on the weights to help his power, which I believe is vital for any professional fighter in order to build strength and power. We shall see whether he has enough to deter Moore."

"I'm definitely going, though. I need to get my face noticed again in boxing circles and show people I still exist," the witty ex-champ jokes.

Then how about the eagerly awaited British cruiserweight title fight between bitter rivals Mark Hobson and David Haye? In many ways it reminds one of Tony's ill-fated encounter with Froch that was cancelled three times last year. The experienced, improving domestic champion against the brash, fresh up n' comer. Despite claiming he'd "knock Carl spark out" during the build-up to his grudge affair with Froch, he sees no such joy for cruiserweight champ Hobson.

"Listen, if David does everything right, is relaxed and focused, Mark Hobson will be knocked spark out," admits Dodson. "Totally out of it. People seriously do not realise how hard that lad (Haye) hits. I know exactly how hard he can bang. You saw how Tony Moran got through and rattled Mark last year. Well I spar Tony on a regular basis and he's honest enough to admit he's no massive puncher. Yet, he gave Mark a few problems when they fought, with his power. David has tremendous power and skill and hits a lot harder than Tony."

Ask Tony whether he prefers analysing other people's fights or reading an analysis of his own and you can pre-empt what kind of answer he'd give. After all, if it wasn't for the thrill he gets from the crowd, the media and the fight fraternity when competing, Dodson may well have found himself in a worrying place. Which, as he concludes, wouldn't have done anyone any good.

"I needed to pull myself together big time. Not just for me, but for my son and my family. I've always been part of a stable family and know the importance of being given a good, clean and healthy upbringing. I didn't miss out on anything as a kid, and I want my son to feel the same. I want to be able to provide for my son through my success in boxing and give him the kind of life I've lived."

"He'll never box, though. No way!"

One guesses that's where the parallels end. Dodson knows more than most just how close to the edge this sport can drive you.

June 28, 2005.