The record-union., 1891-07-29
DlX0N-WiLLIS FIGHT.
THE FORMER MAKES SHORT WORK
OF THE AUSTRALIAN.
Willis No Match for the Boston Col
ored Boy-The Knock-Out Blow De-
1iyered In the Fifth Round.
Special to the REcoRp-uN1oN.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2S.-The battle
between the bantam weights, Dixon and
Willis, at the California Club tonight,
occupied less than twenty minutes
Willis was knocked out in the fifth
round, after having had the worst of a
hard fight from the very start. Dixon's
style Of fighting was not known very
well here, and he was not expected to do
much rushing, but he forced the fight
from the first round, rushed Willis hard
whenever he could get him at close
quarters, and beat him with ease.
Willis struggled hard to hold out
against the colored mans assaults, and in
the half-doZen sharp rallies he fought
back manfully, but was not able to hit as
hard or as frequently as his opponent.
His quickness and his ability to stand
hard punishment saved him from defeat
earlier, but after being knocked down in
the first round, and numerically
pounded in the four following rounds, he
was greatly weakened, and the blow
which finally sent him out was light
one, compared to the dozen others which
he had received.
Dixon was apparently uninjured, and
as soon as he saw that Willis could not
rise in the fifth round the colored man
gave leap almost half across the ring,
while spectators cheered him wildly
The fight was for purse Of 5000 and
the bantam-weight championship of the
world. Willis was practically unknown
to many here, and betting before the
fight was in Dixon's favor, ranging from
500 to $40 to 500 to 800.
Great interest was taken in the fight
here, and the club-room was filled to-
night. The men had trained faithfully,
and both were in perfect condition. Hi
ram Cook was referee.
Dixon's seconds were Tim O'Rourke,
Mitchell and Billy Akers. Willis was
seconded by Martin Murphy and Billy
Smith.
The contestants appeared in the ring
soon after $50 O'Clock. Time was called
at SAB.
In the first round the men spared
carefully for fully miunte, Dixon show
ing greater advantage in reach. Then
Dixon led and caught Willis on the jaw,
sending him down. When he rose there
was the liveliest kind of q rally, the men
slogging each other at close quarters
Dixon was plainly having the best Of it.
Willis hugged as much as possible.
The second round was opened eau
tiously by both. Then Dixon rushed,
but accomplished nothing. A moment
later he planted swinging left on the
hucC3oAisRh Jaw. oCNStdl IdlllcS
and much clinching followed. Then
they kept up See-saw on each others
jaws at the closest possible range. The
round closed with cheers for both.
In the third round both were very
cautious at first. Dixon then landed his
LETT on Willis body, and his right on the
jaw. Neither blow did much damage.
Fourth round-After two minutes of
sparring, Dixon rushed and landed on
Willis jaw and body several times, re-
ceiving two sharp raps in return. Both
were very quiet, and saved themselves by
dodging.
The fifth round was opened like the
others. Neither seemed disposed at first
TO rush and force matters. Toward the
close there was sharp rally near the
ropes, in which it was give and take for a
moment, though Dixon was plainly land
ing harder and oftener. Presently Dixon
caught the Australian on the jaw with his
left and sent him down. Willis rose to
his hands and knees and took his ten Sec
onds on the floor.
NHe arose q little, but when Dixon
rushed him he stood prepared to receive
the attack. lie was not able to do much,
however, in the rally. Dixon's right
soon came into contact with Willis jaw,
and the latter went down flat on his back
He fell heavily, and lay like log. When
tho ten seconds had expired Willis Sec
onds had TO lift him from the floor, and
Dixon was declared the winner.
The colored man seemed as strong as
when the fight commenced.