Tears flow as Aussie underdog wins gold in men’s 55kg boxing
Australia has a new boxing name to celebrate after an emotional Jye Dixon won gold in the men’s 55kg Commonwealth Games boxing event.
The 21-year-old Queenslander was up against India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam and claimed his first gold medal with a unanimous decision.
Jye Dixon is overcome with emotion after winning gold. Getty Images
Tears flowed from Dixon after the win as he was mobbed by his coaches.
In the lead-up to the final, Dixon said it was “surreal as f---” to be competing for the top prize, hence the emotion that came when the result was read out.
There was plenty of green and gold in the crowd cheering him on in what marked Australia’s first Commonwealth Games boxing gold since 2018.
Dixon spoke to reporters on the ground in Glasgow after the bout and described his win as “the best feeling ever”.
“Thanks to God and my team at home. I can’t believe it,” he said.
Dixon could have a rise similar to fellow Queenslander Liam Wilson, who went from amateur boxer to the professional scene.
The gold medallist paid homage to Wilson post-fight and credited him with helping overcome confidence issues.
“I always go in with self-doubt, so I honestly never even saw myself here,” he said.
“When I saw Liam Wilson back in 2018 go and achieve such big things like he has … I want to keep following his footsteps and keep looking to the stars.
“It was just listening to my coaches and my supporters. Getting my hand raised yesterday was one of the best feelings, and then doing it today was just unbelievable.
“We’ve got the Maloney brothers ... Liam Wilson ... watching them guys do it and showing it’s possible ... they’re the standard they set for us. They show us what is possible.”
Dixon said he intends to make his professional debut by the end of the year but won’t let the result get to his head.
Jacob Cassar had a chance to add another gold in the ring, but was outclassed and lost in decisive fashion in the 65kg men’s final to England’s Patris Mughalzai.
