Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-08-07
THREETERRIBLEB BLOWS
Champion George Dixon Writes
About Pugilistic Skill.
BATTLES WITHPIERCE AND SMITH

Not Initiating Corbett When He Agreed to
Meet Both Men In n NIonth-Enect of an
Actors Life Upon a Boxer-Famous
Knockout Blows.
NEW YORK, Aug lin my humble opin-
ion a fighter should confine all his argu-
ments to the "a foot limit accorded him by
the usages OF the ring. OF late, however,
it has become the practice of champions to
fight their battles in print as well as in the
roped arena. ! am not anxious to emulate
their example, but in the present instance
| am constrained to follow them, first, be-
cause legion of friends have requested me
to make known my true physical condition,
and, second, because a suspicion has arisen
that have become afflicted with that dan
gerous disease known as ''swelled head"
This impression has become current in
some quarters from the fact that have
agreed to meet Eddie Pierce at the Coney
Island Athletic club for purse of q, 500 on
Aug and to fight Solly Smith, the con
queror of Johnny Griffen, at the Column
bian club at Roby, Ind, a month later for
purse of 5000. 1t is argued that hold
both men cheap, inasmuch as have agreed
to meet such redoubtable twain within
such short space of time. Some caustic
critics have gone so far as to declare that !
am initiating Champion Jim Corbett. That
ambitious gentleman, as the sporting pub
lie is we'll aware, challenged Peter jackson
to meet him within a month before or after
his battle with Charley Mitchell, the best
man in all England.
! am not following in the champion S foot
steps. Neither have l acquired, in proper
ton to my size, the enlarged Uranium the
big fellow is credited with. My hat fits me
as easily now as it ever did. do not I'M
derrate Pierce or Smith. / know that they
are both magnificent little fighters and
realize that will have TO easy task to con
quer either. Yet-and speak with all due
| modesty-I am satisfied that l can whip
both of them, else should not have made
| the matches l did. What is more, l will
| be in better condition to meet Solly smith
presuming have the good fortune to de
| feat Eddie Pierce-within n month than ]
| would three or six months later All will
| need is a weeks rest and then, resuminG
| training, will be as right as IA clock when
go up against Smith. OF course in max
ing this proposition bar the probability
of all serious accidents. Unless l break
an arm or a leg l will be rs right rs II
/ whistle. II | get bruised hand or a
| swelled shoulder in my contest with Pierce,
| | will have ample time to recover. Should
| | dislocate an arm, shoulder or leg in that
encounter the chances are that l cannot
| lAGC SlulIu upon Tue O1kS dAEGtO ilOl III
| the event of the fortune of war going Who'll
| ly against me in the first fray the Column
bian people may prefer to take on Pierce
as the most suitable opponent for the
| doughty little Californian and leave me
out in the cold.
The reason that l preferred to meet my
| two rivals within such brief period of
| time, outside of the reasons l have already
| assigned, is this: II am successful in bOth
| encounters | "a 81 - 90 n he road
| with my manager, Tom O'Rourke, and his
vaudeville company and not be bothered by
other ambitious aspirants for fistic fame
for at least eight or ten months. The the
atriCal season begins in September and
ends in May or June. l would be justified
in declining to break up my theatrical tour
to accept the challenges of all ambitious
featherweights until the expiration of that
time. All fair minded sportsmen would
uphold me in so doing. When that time
has expired, will be only too happy tC
take on Johnny Van IIcest, Young Critic
of Australia or any recognized champion
in my class who can get down to weight,
OF course am always arguing on the by
pothcsis that will be victor throughout
Should either Pierce or Smith defeat me il
will be in order for the man who proves
himself the better of the two to outline hi,
future plan of action.
| think | have the right to speak aS | dc
about my future course, for should con
Quer both Pierce and Smith | shall have
| then defeated six Of the best featherweiChts
| in the world, Tor besides Pierce and Smith
| shall already have added to my list o.
| conquered heroes Of the magic circle ABB
| Willis, recognized champion of Australia
Nunc Wallace and Fred Johnston, the tive
best little men of England, and last, bu
not least, Cal Mccarthy, long regarded n:
the invincible featherweisht of America
With such a string of victories to my cred
} it no man could say that | was u cowart
should refuse to meet him until my the
atrical season was ended.
Now a word as to the effect of theatrica
life upon fighter. As rule it is bad
, Aside from the social designations a success
full pugilist is likely to indulge in, the wea
and tear of travel, loss of sleep and the con
slant strain on the mind and body causet
by rehearsals and one or two daily per