FIGHTNEWZ.NET What a chance this is for you. Another high profile fight on probably the biggest-ever thai boxing show in Britain.

DICKS: I’m excited, I’m in good nick and I’m looking forward to it.

Everything has gone alright and all of the training is going well.

I’ve been to Holland with my trainer Paul Hamilton and Craig Jose and Alex Abusin, sparring at the Mejiro Gym, and that has helped sharpen me up and motivate me even more.

It was a change of scenery and good sparring against lads who didn’t know who we were, so they didn’t have much respect for us!

I couldn’t get a fight in February, so we arranged to go there. It all helps and brings you on against good lads who are bigger than me.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Feel like you’ve got a point to prove after the Kulebin fight?

DICKS: I’m looking forward to this one because in my last fight I just got caught
with a shot early on.

He just caught me and there was nothing I could do about it.

I made a little mistake and he caught me with a high kick. I stepped back
and my hand dropped about an inch and he just came over the top.

When you fight world class people, that’s what happens.

I made one tiny little mistake and he just caught me.

This one is like a grudge match. I want to get in there and show that I’m still one of the best in Europe and one of the best in the world.

I’m determined to win, so it has given me another boost.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Would you say this is the biggest fight of your career?

DICKS: This is a big fight but my last fight was a big fight as well.

They are all big fights at world class and European level.

Everyone you fight is at the top level.

The next couple of years is when I’m planning to go onto the big things.

I’m just below the absolute top level now and I’m looking forward to it.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: What do you think will be the key to victory for you?

DICKS: I think footwork and movement will tip the fight in my favour.

I’ve seen him fight on the internet and he is very strong and aggressive and puts power in all of his shots.

My plan is to keep moving and bang, bang, bang, sidestep him and throw the elbows and switch and kick and use all of my different techniques.

Just not standing still and getting drawn into a fight, because I know he is really strong and powerful.

That’s what he likes doing, he likes standing and having a fight with you and making you stand still and slug with him.

My plan is to keep moving. I’m confident I can outsmart him. My training and everything is going well so I’m looking forward to it and I think I can beat him.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Both of you are known for being aggressive and there aren’t too many who seem to think it will go the distance. How do you think the fight will pan out?

DICKS: I think it will go to points. It will be a hard fight but I think I will win on points.

I’ve fought about 10 Thais and they have a lot of experience and they are clever, but the way to beat them is to do what they don’t want to do.

They don’t like hands, so you work your hands on them and finish with your legs.

The Thais like to kick and grapple, so you do what they don’t want to do and box them and use your legs off them.

Kick strong and use your hands off them.

Bovy is a bit different because he likes to use his hands as well, so it will be interesting.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Do you think your height advantage will be a factor?

DICKS: Because I’m taller than him, it will definitely give me an edge because I’m longer.

I can use my hands when he comes in before he can get his hands off, and when he comes in close I can use my elbows and knees and counter.

Step round him and use my footwork and get busy.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: This event could really put British thai boxing and yourself on the map.

DICKS: In Thailand I fought on the King’s Birthday in front of the king and I think the crowd was 100,000 in the King’s Park.

It’s always best to fight in your home country and they are making thai boxing in England bigger.

All over Europe they have government backing and the shows in Europe and around the world are massive, they are all in big stadiums.

They are trying to push it into the big stadiums in England and make it bigger and better.

I think it’s one of the hardest stand-up fighting sports in the world and it’s just showing people what thai boxing is all about and getting the crowds in to come and support it.

I think it’s the most exciting stand-up sport as well because you can kick, knee, elbow and punch.

There are so many things you can get caught with and stopped by, so it makes it a lot more interesting.

I’m going to keep going from the first round to the last. If I get him in the first round that will be a bonus.

I’m going to keep pushing it and pushing it until I get him, and if he makes a mistake I will jump on him and try and take him out from there.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: How do you think you would adapt to K-1 Max or It’s Showtime rules? You can’t use elbows in either of those.

DICKS: In K-1 Max you don’t really get to use your knees and elbows and that’s what I’m good at and what I like doing.

I like the grappling and knees and the elbows and that is what I’m known for, getting in close and using my elbows.

It’s what I’m interested in doing, but I think I could adapt to K-1 Max.

If I got offered the right fights I would go in and do that, as well as normal thai boxing.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Aside from the Kulebin setback, where do you think you deserve to be ranked at welterweight, both in the UK and internationally?

DICKS: I’m definitely No 1 at my weight in the UK. I wouldn’t say there is anyone at my weight that can give me a real challenge in the UK.

I feel like if I fight anyone in England it’s more of a step down, when I’m stepping up and trying to get to world class.

I just want to keep going up and up and not come back.

Going to Holland to spar has helped me, then I’ve got the MSA show and there is also a show in Darlington on April 25th in the Dolphin Centre.

I’ve got a big fight there against a French guy called Mehdi Zatout, who beat Andy Thrasher on points for the European title.

FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Finally, you must be keen for a rematch with Kulebin?

DICKS: I’ve won the UKMF English title, British title, SIMTA British title and WMC Intercontinental title, but the big prize is the WMC world title and that’s what I want. This year hopefully.