Jazza Dickens Gains WBA Super-Featherweight Title, Fourth UK World Champ
Jazza Dickens is finally a world champion. The WBA stripped Lamont Roach Jr., who was contesting the WBC interim super-lightweight title, promoting Dickens from interim to full super-featherweight champion.
The Liverpool southpaw becomes the UK’s fourth current world titleholder, joining Nick Ball, Lewis Crocker, and Fabio Wardley.
For Dickens, 34, it was a moment years in the making — 14 years and 319 days after turning professional, the second-longest wait in boxing history, behind only Archie Moore’s 17-year journey.
Today I became @WBABoxing world champion.
The second longest ever wait (14yr319d) after Archie Moore (17yrs)
Just a small team of good people, guided by God! Praise be to the king of kings Jesus Christ!
— Jazza Dickens | Boxing (@JazzaDickens10) December 7, 2025
KO Secures Crown
Dickens’ rise was unconventional. On July 2, 2025, he defeated Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul to claim the WBA interim super-featherweight title. A fourth-round stoppage at 2:26 saw Batyrgaziev’s corner throw in the towel after Dickens dominated with relentless combinations, sharp southpaw angles, and a decisive overhand left.
Full Champion After Roach Vacates
Holding the interim belt was a step forward. Full recognition came automatically when Roach moved up in weight for the WBC interim super-lightweight fight. By WBA rules, his departure vacated the 130-pound crown, instantly promoting Dickens to full world champion.
A Long-Awaited Vindication
“This is the second-longest wait ever,” Dickens wrote on social media. “Just a small team of good people, guided by God! Praise be to the king of kings, Jesus Christ!”
He also addressed discrepancies in rankings, noting he was #1 in the WBA but only #3 in the UK on BoxRec, highlighting inconsistencies. Dickens’ journey emphasizes persistence over promotion — decades of grind, faith, and a small trusted team rather than media hype.
Next: Tsutsumi Challenge
Dickens’ first defense is scheduled for December 27, 2025, against Japanese contender Hayato Tsutsumi. That fight will determine whether his long wait is validated in the ring. The KO over Batyrgaziev gives this title real credibility — it isn’t a paper championship, but the result of persistence, faith, and self-belief.
Key Takeaways
Second-longest wait for a world title in history.
KO over Batyrgaziev legitimizes the belt.
Persistence and faith over promotion and hype.
First defense against Tsutsumi will cement his legacy.
Jazza Dickens’ story is a testament to perseverance in modern boxing: decades of dedication, a small trusted team, and finally, recognition at the highest level. In an era dominated by promotion and instant fame, Dickens proves that consistent grind and focus can still lead to a world title.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed dozens of world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside at the sport’s biggest events since founding WBN in 2010. Read full bio.
