After winning his lightweight (60kg) state final in Wollongong, the Westside Gym fighter was made an offer he could not refuse and one that will propel his burgeoning career to even great heights.

“He’s been selected by the national coach to go to the centre of excellence at the AIS,” trainer Mike Abra said.

“That means he’s earmarked to go up a level to the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games.

“They don’t take very many boxers every year.”

The last boxer to train at the AIS from the north west was Olympian Cameron Hammond.

Dickson is heading in the same direction after his big win in America back in August against international opposition.

This week’s state title was his fourth.

“He’s really lifted since winning that world title,” Abra said.

“He fought some good boxers down there.

“They weren’t mugs.”

He will head to the Australian titles early next year but he won’t be the only Tamworth local there.

Anne-Marie Robinson also won gold at the state titles.

She was also fighting in the lightweight division and was too good in the final.

She and Dickson will vie for the national title in February.

The other Westside Gym fighter at the state titles, Brad Way, was unlucky not to make it three golds from three.

He lost the final and had to settle for a silver medal but Abra said he was robbed by the computerised scoring system.

All three of the young boxers are students at Oxley High School and put countless hours of work into their sport.