The Portland daily press., 1893-09-26
Dixon Knocks Smith Silly During
That Time.
THE BOUT TOOK LESS THAN
HALF AN HOUR.
Big Bets Wagered on the Resu1t-People
Present From the First Pusilistic
Circies-Smith Arrested Mt the End of
the Fight-But the Judge Goes Bail for
Him. = r..

Him. s.
Coney Island, September 25.-Despite
the stormy weather the sporting frater-
nifty came in droves to Coney Island
Athletic club tonight to witness the
prize fight between George Dixon and
Solly Smith. This mad match has at
tracted more widespread interest than
any other fight that has been held at
Coney Island since the club has been in
existence. Prominent sporting men were
attracted here from all parts of the
country and the attendance was much
larger than had been expected. Eugene
Comisky, Arthur Moore of the New
York Athletic club, Prof. Mike Donovan
and Tommy Ryan were among those
present; also many Boston and Phila-
delphia people.
The contest proved to be the greatest
betting event that has taken place at the
Island club house. Dixon was the favor
ite in the betting, but Smith had many
supporters. John Humphrles of Cali
fornia, bet $4,000 to $4,000 with Phil
Howell, book maker, HUMPHREYS taking
the Smith end. This was the largest
bet made.
Both men weighedsat o'clock in the
afternoon, and both were under stipu-
lated weight, 118 pounds. The prelimi-
nary bout was between jim Burge and
Fred Morris, colored, for p $500 purse,
with $100 to the loser. The men fought
ten rounds and did some hard hitting
The referee gave the fight to Morris.
The decision in the preliminary bout
was scarcely rendered when George
Dixon made his appearance in the ring
accompanied by his seconds, Tom
O'Rourke, George Godfrey and Jack
Haverlin. .Solly Smith was q few
minutes later in making his appearance.
His seconds were Billy Billy Delaney, Seward
to finish for a purse Of $4,000, Of which
the winner got $4,000 and the loser $1,000.
The bout was refereed by John p. Eock
hart.
In the first round there was a good deal
of clinching, but finally Dixon caught
Smith with the left swing and foored
him neatly. Dixon had a little the bet
ter of the round.
In the second round Dixon missed the
left swing and Smith was on him like a
fash, rushing him to the ropes landing
both right and left. Dixon landed a
right swing on Smiths neck, when
Smith slipped to his knees and took full
time to rise. Smith reached Dixon's
stomach with his right as the bell rang.
The fighting was most rapid in the
third round. Smith was downed twice
in succession, but met Dixon with facer
as he rose, Smiths mouth swelling and
he showed signs of tiring
The fourth round was clearly Dixon's,
and he was smiling while Smith ap-
peared worried
Smith came up strong in the fifth
round, Dixon forced the fight, but Smith
met him with good straight left hand
blows and succeeded in making the
blood flow freely from Dixon's face
Dixon did most of the landing, but not
fighting quite 50 rapidly.
In the sixth Smith put his left hand
on Dixon's nose and drew blood. Dixon
tried his right and left but was countered
by Smith, who showed up gamely This
was the most even round of the battle.
In the seventh round, Dixon landed a
stiff left handler on Smiths jaw shortly
after the round commenced, and as
Smith staggered Dixon sprang upon him
like tiger and planted right and left
with rapid succession. Smith sank to the
floor under his punishment and took ad-
vantage of the nine seconds. He rose to
his feet only to be sent to the floor
again. This time he came up very much
weaker than before, but Dixon stood over
him, knowing full well the value of
every second at so vital stage of the
game. Smith never got chance to re-
cover, as Dixon upper cut him with
tremendous force, sending him to the
floor on his face. Smith was game and
tried his utmost to rally, but was only
able to get up to his feet and sink to the
floor again from exhaustion before Dixon
could get over to him.
Referee Eckert then declared Dixon
the victor in the fight of 26 minutes and
AZ seconds.
Soon after the fight Smith was put un-
der arrest by sheriff from Roby,
Indiana, for being principal in prize
before the defunct Columbia club.
The sheriff hibited requisition papers.
At Judge Newton's suggestion the sheriff
allowed Smith liberty under promise of
Newton to be re sponsible for the de-
feated fighter until tomorrow, when
Solly will probably be taken into Gus
tody and taken to Roby to stand trial.
the sheriff also had papers for Griffin, who
was present at the fight, but the latter
got out and evaded arrest