By Elliot Foster

Jazza Dickens has undergone a successful operation of his broken jaw.

The Liverpool super-bantamweight sustained the injury in the second round of his Super WBA world title challenge against Guillermo Rigondeaux on Saturday.

Dickens, who slipped to 22-2 (7 KOs), faced the feared Cuban superstar at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, exclusively live on BoxNation.

But the 25-year-old underdog’s chance at global glory was short-lived after he was pulled out of the fight by his corner in the minute-long interval between rounds two and three.

His coach, Paul Stevenson, noticed that there was an issue with the right side of Dickens’ jaw and it was later confirmed that the British champion, whose only previous defeat prior to the ‘Rigo’ heartbreak was a stoppage defeat to Kid Galahad back in September, 2014, had fractured his jaw in two places.

And after getting the green light following surgery to recuperate ahead of a potential return –– not just against Rigondeaux but to the ring in general –– Dickens has admitted that he would have fought on with the injury if he had his way.

“If I could have continued, I would, that goes without saying,” he wrote on social media. “We didn’t get a chance to get started [and I’m] sorry to let my family and friends down.

“Thank you [to] all involved in making the fight and well done to Rigondeaux, well done to him and his team.

“Hopefully the fight will happen again in the future.”

Promoter Frank Warren, who staged Rigo's appearance in association with RocNation Sports, mentioned September 17 as a potential date for the maestro’s UK return but outlined that he must go through the official channels to secure a second chance for the British boxing public to see someone largely recognised as world boxing royalty on their shores again.

Dickens continued: “Thank you for all the support, it has been a great experience fighting for our first world title and there will be more to come.

“[It] just wasn’t God’s will for me [to win], [but] I accept that and look forward to the next chapter.”