A tribute to the career of the all-action Filipino Blaine Dickson

Blaine Dickson

Our Caledonian columnist Donald C Stewart takes a long look in his rear view mirror at the extraordinary career of Blaine Dickson.

6 years might not seem a long time in which to have a distinguished career, but I suppose it is all about what you pack into it…

From 1979, a year when the world in the UK got turned upside down because we got our very first female prime minister and the bleak winter of the previous year was due to give rise to a glorious summer, Blaine Dickson, 19-6-1, 10 KOs was about to debut. What happened in the early eighties in the United Kingdom was not a glorious summer but seasons of further discontent.

For Dickson, it was the beginning of a professional career that would see him rise to the less than dizzying heights of being the temporary holder of the NABF belt at super featherweight. Then he lost it; to a man who brought the fire wherever he went, Hector “Macho” Camacho in 1981.

What makes Dickson so memorable was that his style was all action – a popular style at any time – that came with his ability to knock fighters to the canvass whilst getting back up himself if it happened to him.

Like many of today’ prospects he became noticed early in his career especially after his Ney Santiago stoppage in the 2nd round in his debut. Then came Mauro Fuente stopped in the first, a sixth round stoppage of the tough and respected Vito Romero and a rise from his backside that saw him get a points win against Maurice Cissi. This was all in an action packed first year – he hadn’t got to the eighties yet!

He was a durable fighter with a manager, Tom Fischer, who had enough faith in him to constantly talk about him as a future world title contender – unfortunately Fischer was more of a talker than a prophet! After the Romero fight, Fischer was reported as saying, “I know that I've got a hot piece of merchandise in Dickson. That Dickson is going to be a helluva good jr. lightweight.”

His 1980s began with tougher opponents and on the 2nd of April 1980, the tough Ricardo Jiminez was in the opposite corner in Las Vegas. It was a toe-to-toe encounter with Blaine getting a 10 round decision. The arena was showered with coins from the public such was their admiration for what they had just seen.

His first loss came later in 1980 when he was unwell, but up against Ken Sallee. It was a 6th round stoppage as Sallee, having hit the floor in the 2nd got up and took Dickson into the 6th blowing and struggling.

In 1981 he faced Refugio Rojas and gave a more than decent account of himself with his skills being the key to a unanimous 10 round win. The first 7 rounds were crucial as he found the later rounds difficult. It was a relief that he got to the end of the fight with his hand raised.

All roads led to a battle in 1981 with Hector “Macho” Camacho. Camacho was an undefeated fighter over 11 fights, whilst Dickson was a man with 18 fights and 3 losses. Excitement around the fight was built on the back of this was a contest between two men known for knocking people over. Camacho was only 19 years old. The battle between them inside the ring was intense in what was only his 12th professional fight. Dickson had his moments including in the 8th and 11th rounds where Camacho was forced to hold but ultimately Camacho got what was for many a boxing insider, a marquee win as Dickson was THAT highly rated.

The bout was not without its own comedy elements as they continued to fight after the bell and Camacho managed to land a decent right hand on the referee! Dickson was beaten but not happy as Camacho had held for most of the fight and whilst not even a crowbar could have got Camacho off, an observer at the time noted that ''Blaine was more upset with the way he got away with the holding than with the decision.''

Having hit a high, Dickson’s career was now to wither, though he continued for another 4 years and another 7 fights his record for those last few encounters was 4 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

In Las Vegas he had his last fight, in 1985, on the undercard of a Larry Holmes title defence – his 47th fight and a successful one against David Bey; Dickson was also to win.

Blaine Dickson was a decent fighter form a time gone past. A pro who, like many in our midst now, would make a splash, get his heads under the lights but not get the belts that others managed. It does make him less of a fighter, just a little less successful. And, as we celebrate worthy warriors who are honest pros in the undercards we have broadcast now, here’s one form the past who deserves the spotlight, though he never danced in the moonlight as the majority of doughty, honest and hard-working professionals today.