FROM white collar to a potential world title, Rhiannon Dixon's pathway into boxing is unique.

However, it has set her on the path to hopefully becoming the new WBO world lightweight champion on Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester.

The 28-year-old from Great Sankey initially wanted to fight in the MMA following her admiration for Ronda Rousey but with no experience in mixed martial arts, her coach advised her to try boxing.

“I began boxing just doing one on one session with the goal to get fitter and lose weight,” she said.

“But after a few sessions in which I surprised the coaches, I was then asked about if I would do a white-collar fight.

“At that time, I had no clue what the difference between white collar and amateur was, so I thought okay, why not.”

To Rhiannon’s surprise, the opponent she had prepared for had changed – and she only found out as she entered the ring.

“My coach went over to the other corner to find out and the girl I was now fighting was much bigger than me, but I knew if I backed out, I would not have got back in the ring again.

“The feeling after the fight was amazing and I could not wait to do it again.”

A close friend in James Moorcroft turned professional shortly after the fight and encouraged Dixon to do the same, but unfortunately the COVID pandemic hit, leading to Rhiannon’s attention turning to her role as a hospital pharmacist, where she worked on the COVID wards throughout.

It was a job that, due to her successful boxing, has been put on the back burner for now, but she is still keen to get back into the role after boxing.

“I graduated in 2018 and loved every second of it,” she said.

“Unfortunately, I stopped two years ago with boxing taking over but I do want to go back to it.

“Many boxers, like my coach Anthony Crolla, go into coaching after retiring but I am not a coach – my knowledge of boxing is poor. I ask my partner Ross his opinion and then pass it off as my own whenever I get asked!”

Following the country opening again as restrictions started to lift, Dixon eventually had her first professional fight having made the big step up from white collar to the paid ranks.

“Firstly, the levels between the two are completely different – I would never, ever advise anyone to go from white collar to professional,” she said.

“I was deluded to think I was ready to step up.

“Thankfully now with the team I have around me, I get the best advice – in every fight I have looked different and that is thanks to the wonderful team I have.”

Having former WBA lightweight champion Crolla as her coach gives Dixon someone who has been in the position she is in.

The relationship between boxer and coach must be full of trust, and it is clear they have just that.

“Anthony thinks it is all about him, he keeps saying it is his world title fight,” Dixon jokes.

“The first thing he said to me is he will become a world champion who has trained a world champion.

“If I win, he will take the belt off me!”

With a current unbeaten record of 9-0 and being current holder of both the Commonwealth and European lightweight titles, Rhiannon spoke about the overwhelming feeling of being crowned champion.

“When the fight got stopped, I could not believe it – I was in shock,” she said.

“I was grateful because I was shattered. It did not sink in until a few days later. The feeling was amazing and something I would love to replicate in Manchester.”

Karen Carabajal is the woman who stands in Dixon’s way of becoming world champion. The Argentinian has more experience in the ring with 23 professional fights under her belt compared to Dixon’s nine and is six years older at 34.