EDDIE Hearn has labelled Rhiannon Dixon’s world-title shot in Manchester ‘a defining night’ in her career.

The Great Sankey boxer will go toe-to-toe with highly respected Argentinian Karen Carabajal at the AO Arena on April 13 for the vacant WBO lightweight title.

Anthony Crolla-trained Dixon, 28, claimed the European title agaimnst Katharina Thanderz at Wembley Arena last time in the ring in September and Matchroom promoter Hearn said this is another level altogether for the former St Gregory’s High School student.

And he agreed with Dixon’s decision for her big fight to take place in Manchester on the undercard to the Jordan Gill versus Zelfa Barrett showdown, rather than taking up the option she had in London last month.

“It’s a massive moment for Rhiannon Dixon, challenging for the world title against Karen Carabajal who’s a fantastic fighter and gave Katie Taylor a tremendous fight for the world championships not too long ago,” said Hearn, who is chairman of Matchroom Sport and Professional Darts Corporation.

“I guess it’s a bit of a pinch-yourself moment, Manchester Arena, fighting for the WBO lightweight title.

“It seems only yesterday she was challenging for her first title, the Commonwealth title, then a great performance to win the European title against Thanderz, and now a pretty big step up in Manchester on April 13.

“We’ve spoken a lot about being new to the sport, having a job, being in boxing, but now she’s really entering the big time.

“Carabajal’s a really solid test, this is the moment for Rhiannon to move on into the mega nights for her career.”

Carabajal, 33, took Irish superstar Taylor the distance 16 months ago at Wembley and has won her three fights since, including being crowned South American Super Featherweight Champion.

Southpaw Dixon’s unblemished record of nine professional fights will also be on the line and you get a sense that her confidence is building.

“With each fight I’m making a natural progression and just showing more and more of what I can do and what I’m about,” said Dixon, a former pharmacist at Whiston Hospital which has led to her often being tagged ‘the fighting pharmacist’.

“I think each fight has been a test and I’ve been passing with flying colours.

“And I think this is another test that I’m going to pass.”

She added: “I believe giving up my job as a pharmacist – my sponsorships have been able to help me do that – I’m giving it everything now.

“We’ve changed so many things and I think you’ve been able to see that in my performances and I believe winning this fight puts me on to big things.”

She highlighted by fighting in Manchester there is some potential synergy with her trainer Crolla’s career and like she has demonstrated before there is plenty of banter and camaraderie between her and the man guiding her to the top.

“Manchester holds a really special place in my heart as I want to university there,” she said.

“And I think Anthony would have been a bit upset if I’d have gone to London with this fight.

“He wants to make it all about him. Manchester is where he won his world title so I’ve got to do what he says.”