SCENIC RIM middleweight boxer Dylan Biggs has capped the biggest year of his career by winning the Riyadh Season WBC Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, securing the José Sulaimán Trophy, $100,000 in prize money and a direct pathway toward future world title fights.
It was the payoff to a year of sacrifice for the Beaudesert local, including five trips overseas, countless hours in the gym, and long stretches away from his partner Unique and two young kids, which Biggs described as “part of the job”.
“It sucks, especially with the kids, so I’ve got to make the time count that I’ve taken away,” he said.
“Being sad I’m not with my family is one thing but letting that sacrifice go to vain because I’m upset would be dumb.”
The eight-round final against undefeated Canadian Derek Pomerleau was won by unanimous decision and capped a five-fight stretch that took Biggs to the Middle East several times across the year.
He said the travel demands, time difference and unfamiliar surroundings forced a new level of professionalism.
“You’re not going to Saudi for a holiday, you’re going there for work,” he said.
“We went over there with a mission and a job in mind.”
Biggs said the Grand Prix acted as a pressure test both physically and mentally.
He said he “found another gear” in the later rounds of the final.
“I started to gas after maybe the sixth round, then I realised I’m going to throw everything hard and keep going until I’m exhausted,” he said.
“If the fight’s there to win or lose then I wasn’t going to lose it.”
Coach Justin O’Leary said the ability to perform under those conditions was the most impressive aspect of the win.
“He doesn’t get overawed by anything,” O’Leary said.
“We travelled the furthest in the whole competition and he never used travel or sickness as an excuse.”
O’Leary said Biggs benefitted from five high-quality fights between April and December.
“Five consecutive high-level fights in a year, you wouldn’t get that in Australia,” he said.
“That consistency of fighting every two months improves you.”
Biggs plans to remain active in 2026.
“Three or four fights this year would be unreal,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve improved so much because I’ve been in camp full time.”
With ranking updates expected to place him inside the WBC top ten, Biggs said a world title fight is now within reach.
“It wouldn’t be rash to say I’m within a world title fight in the next couple of years,” he said.
“I don’t train this hard for no reason. This is what we’re aiming for, and we’ll take it as far as I can.”
