The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-07-02
The English Lad Made a Hard Fight
But Dixon Was too Clever
for Him.
A Big Crowd Of Sports Witnesses
One of the Best Fights Seen
in a Long Time.

the world is now a thing of the past as
George Dixon, the colored boy, from
Boston, has won the title by defeating
Fred johnson, feather weight champion
of England. The contest was witnessed
by a large and enthusiastic crowd Of
sporting men from this city and various
other parts Of the country. Dixon sthe
acknowledged champion feather weight
of America and SO this was an interna.
tional battle. There was an immense
crowd and:the interest taken in the fight
and the betting was exceptionally high.
1t was unquestionably a great battle
and one that will be long remembered.
Both Dixon and johnson were weighed
in under III pounds and there was con-
siderable ..surprise at the En~glishman's
ability to get down to that weight and
still look strong enough to fight. The
latter's train came down to Coney Island
heavily loaded and as it drew toward the
time for beginning the rush for seats be-
came something astounding. Seats were
s. and $40 each, but that cut nc figure
with the bulk of the sports. as they put
up their money as though it had been
blank paper. There were fully COCO
people present. There was so much
Dixon money in sight that johnson men
who went down prepared to back their
man at even money were soon compelled
to drop down to $50 to 800 and then to
so to 800 and takers were so numerous
that a reef had to be taken and the odds
fell to 800 to $50 on Dixon with but few
takers.
First a pair of bruisers Kelly and Sui
Ivan hoped upon the stage at $40 D
m. The boys who are in the 1O5 pound
class were evenly matched. John l..
Sullivan came IN in a most hilarious con
ditiOn and attracted no little attention.
He was so much interested in the pre-
liminary contest in which knock-downs
were conspicuous that he did not see jim
Corbett come in and walk past him, de
spite the fact the crowd cheered him
heartily. Then came the star perform
ance of the evening and everybody set
tied themselves to enjoy what proved to
be an excellent exhibition of science.
skill and strength. 1t was just half past
nine when Dixon came down the aisle
and climbed upon the stage. He was
accompanied by Tim O'Rourke, his man
ager, and Morris Kelly and Eddie Daily.
Fred johnson was very slow about max
ing his appearance in the ring. but when
he did show up he received a hearty
welcome. He was accompanied by
Charley Norton, Billy Plummer. Ben
Roland and Benny Murphy, his handlers.
h Fight Begins.
1t was just ten minutes Of ten when
the men confronted each other. The
start was fast and furious. Dixon doing
all the work and landing right and left
on stomach and head. forcing johnson
to the ropes and furnishing him terribly.
A great shout went up, for all thought
johnson was going out in the first round
but he pluckily stuck to mis- work and
took his medicine. The gong sounded
time and thus saved him. His seconds
had him in shape in less than a minute
and he came up strong.
Second round-Dixon forced the fight
ing which was fast mi furious and did
the bulk of the leading. johnson at one
time seemed to be gone. His leads with
his left were always short and he ap-
peared unable to give any amount of
severe punishment. Dixon continued to
play for the body, repeatedly landing
hard with his right. johnson was lay
ing back for intighting in which he ex.
celled, but George hit, stopped and got
away too quick for him. When the bell
rang johnson was very weary.
Third round-Both men werel strong
and spared for an opening. johnson
was first to lead but fell short of bis
mark and Dixon came forward with a
great rush, landing hard and often.
Johnson gained strength and again led.
AS before he fell short but when George
rushed him he planted his right full in
DiXon's face and in the clInch which fol-
lowed punched him hard in the stomach.
After breaking away Dixon was more
careful, finding that his opponent was a
great in-fghter and capable of getting
away from punishment.
Fourth ro~und-Johnson came up very
strong which forced Dixon to be a little
more cautious. They spared a few Sec
onds for an opening, then Dixon came in
with a rush and planted his left on john
sons stomach and with another swing
landed it on his jaw while he followed it
up with a right handler in the neck.
Johnson planted his right heavily on
Dixon's ribs and some hard mitigating
followed before the call of time.
Fifth rOund-Johnson was full of fight,
and he followed Dixon all over the ring
looking for an opening. He led lightly
with his left. but got a stiff counter on
the jaw for his pains. Dixon then
rushed him and landed a good left, only
to receive a blow twice as hard on the
side OF his head from Johnson's right.
They came to close quarters a number
OF times during this round and clinched
repeatedly. They had to be separated
and the round finished in favor Of Dixon.
Sixth round-Both men came up
strong. johnson led with his left on
Dixon's chest. Dixon rushed, swung his
left on Jonson's stomach and again in
his face. On the next rush he landed
again the same way, but got a singing
blow on the side OF his head with John
sons right that made the smile disap-
pear from his face. He tried to get
Rauare. ruahed his man and fought lie