THE relationship between boxer and trainer is crucial for success.

And Warrington’s European lightweight champion Rhiannon Dixon appears to have a match made in heaven with Anthony Crolla.

Put simply, they hit it off, and can mix the hard work with laughs.

When they are together doing an interview, 28-year-old Dixon from Great Sankey gives off a sense of reluctance to heap too much praise on the former world champion who is now guiding her ring career.

It is her banter, like she doesn’t want to boost his ego in public, and possibly it is her payback for the hell he puts her through in training.

But beneath it all is a deep respect for what he has achieved and the path he is now helping her along.

Defeating Norwegian former world title contender Katharina Thanderz at Wembley Arena earlier this month on points was the ex-St Gregory’s High School student’s ninth win from nine fights in the paid ranks and Crolla feels she is only going to get better.

She sees having Crolla in her corner only being a good thing on her journey to the world level she’s clearly aiming for.

“Someone who’s been there, done it, been to the top, I’ve got someone who’s been through it and knows what I’m going through and can give me that push,” said Dixon, who’s been tagged the fighting pharmacist thanks to her work at Whiston Hospital.

She sighed and added: “I’ve got to give him credit where credit’s due. He’s alright.”

And with a cheeky smile she continued: “I’m making him look good. Everyone’s going to start saying he’s a good coach because of me.”

You get the impression that in training, and in the camp leading up to the Thanderz fight, Crolla’s approach is tough love.

She looked in great shape, going 10 rounds for the first time, still throwing punches at the end and looking as though she had more left in the tank.

“What do you expect when I have to spar Anthony in camp,” said Dixon.

“I’d say he’s like a Mutant Ninja Turtle, he tucks in and he’s just always on me all the time.

“I can’t not be fit because he’ll paste me. So I’ve got to thank him for that.”

She added: “We do loads of rounds together and he picks me up on everything. Even when we’re sparring, he’d be like ‘Don’t do that again!’

“I’m the only one in the gym he shouts at, everyone else gets a pat on the back, he’s so harsh on me but it’ll make me a better fighter in the end.”

As well as Crolla, Dixon now has a full team behind her, including a nutritionist, strength and conditioning coach and her manager, Paul Ready.

It is a far cry from how she started out in white-collar boxing, a low-impact version of the sport aimed at office workers who want to train and learn the skills but the risk of injury is reduced as head guards are worn and the number of rounds is much lower.

“I feel like everything is coming into place now and it’s just clicking,” she said.

The plan is for Dixon to fight again in December and she says she needs more ‘learning fights’.

“I need these learning fights and to go against these tough opponents and good girls to bring the best out in me so I can learn,” she said after the Thanderz win.

“And when I get to that world level, I’ve then had all this experience, I’ve been 10 rounds, and I know that I’ll be able to push on.

“I haven’t got all the amateur experience that others have. I’ve gone from white collar boxing to European champion - wow! It’s all down to my manager Paul Ready and my trainer Anthony, they’re guiding me really well.”

One area in which Dixon is aware she needs to improve is her confidence.

“Anthony was building up my confidence more during the latest camp, saying how good I am and that I belong to be here,” she said.

“I think for my last fight I finally listened to him and believed him.

“I think I just need to start believing in myself. They (Crolla and Ready) believe in me and they’re taking me in the right place so I’ve just got to listen to them and keep on getting better.”

Crolla concluded: “I know it’s mentioned all the time, but she’s so inexperienced compared to so many of these other girls.

“She’s been matched very well, she’s got a great team behind her with everyone in the gym.

“We’re not in a rush, we’re going to keep on improving, keep on getting these learning fights.

“The Thanderz fight was the toughest fight so far on paper but I thought she handled it very well.

“I’m unbelievably proud of her.

“The improvements are there all the time and I think the improvements in the last few fights have been massive – and she’s still capable of more. Rhiannon’s a great athlete and she’s only going to get better and better.”