The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-10
Was Staggering Helplessly, After Re-
ceiving Terrible Punishment, but
Game as q Gladiator.
WENT TO FLOOR EIGHT TIMES
AND WOULD HAVE BEEN KNOCKED
OUT BUT FOR HIS MANAGER.
Dixon Badly Battered, but His OppO-
nent without Marks, Except n Few
Scratches ON the Neck.

NEW YORK, JAN 9-Terry McGovern to-
night wrested the featherweight chamr
pionship Of the world from George Dixon,
who had defended it for nearly nine years.
To save Dixon from a Knockout Tom
O'Rourke, his manager, threw up the
sponge in the eighth round. when the ne
gro was staggering helplessly, bleeding and
weak, but as game as the dying gladiator.
The fight took place before a crowd that
packed the Broadway Athletic Club. and the
victory decided the ownership Of $4,000
purse.
When Dixon and McGovern stepped on
the scales this afternoon to make the
necessary 11S pounds. Dixon seemed to be
in the better condition. He was full OF
life and energy and looked as If the max
ing OF the weight had not troubled him.
while McGovern seemed to be too finely
drawn. When they stepped In the ring,
however, McGovern's face showed nc
traces of a rigid training course. and as
soon as they stripped to the buff, each
looked in perfect condition.
Dixon from the first tap of the gong was
on the aggressive. using a left swing in
variably as his lead, which McGovern clev-
hands in rapid order to Dixon's lower
works. McGovern's attack on the body
was a surprise to Dixon, as no boxer who
ever faced the negro was able to land on
the wind. ribs and Kidneys as did McGovern
tonight. Dixon Jared McGovern half a
dozen times during the battle with hard
cracks on the head or jaw, but Terry was
always back at his man in a jiffy, relent-
lessly smashing with either hand to the
ribs or stomach. The seventh round was
a disastrous one for Dixon. Terry almost
broke Dixon's nose in this round after he
had sent right hand smash which landed
over Georges heart and Dixon staggered
to his corner with the bloou spouting from
his nasal organ.
Dixon came up as game as ever a man
did in the eighth round which proved to
be the last. Early in this round Dixon
slipped to the floor near the ropes from a
clinch and McGovern earned the cheering
Of the spectators by helping Dixon to his
feet A few moments later Dixon slipped
on wet spot in McGovern's corner and
fell to the floor for a second time. It was
soon seen that Dixon had almost shot his
bolt and McGovern, rushing sent left and
right to the jaw. flooring the champion
Dixon took the greater part of the count
this time and as he arose slowly Terry,
who stood scarcely four feet away, was
ready to rush at him. Dixon went down
again from q body blow, and he
touched the floor eight times in the round
the last five times being the result Of ter
rife body punches. A few seconds before
the round would have been completed
Dixon stood UP for his eighth fall, but his
manager and hacker. Tom O'Rourke, see-
ing that 1t was impossible for the negro to
hold on to his title. threw up the sponge
within one second Of the call Of time, which
would have ended the round In this
O'Rourke showed good Judgment Both he
and Dixon have often said that the latter
would never be knocked out again.
When ORourke threw up the sponge
Dixon was practically helpless. While Nc
Govern was hailed with vociferous cheers
as the winner and was cheered and cheeret
again as the new champion. Dixon, the
ex-champion was not forgotten. Round
after round of cheers were given for the
lad who had defended the title so cleverly
for nearly nine years, as he left the ring
bleeding and beaten, after having. probably
fought his last contest
When the contestants returned to theil
dressing rooms. Dixon was badly marked
up but McGovern showed very little signs
of having gone through a hard encounter
The only marks that McGovern had were
scratches on the right side of his neck
where Dixon's left swing had gone around
scratching the skin. Dixon felt his defeat
very keenly and had very little to say
except that McGovern was the best mar
he had ever met and that Terry could have
beaten any man that Dixon had ever de.
feated.
Before the fight began local bookmake,
stimulated the Dixon people by placing
5000 against $500, he taking the Dixor
end and four others dubbed together put.
ting up the 5000 on McGovern. Sam. Har.
ris, McGovern's manager. had a roll OF
bills as big as his hat betting all along the
line and he laid three wagers of $1,000 tc
$3.50 on his man. The odds on McGovern die
rot weaken and all Dixon money was taker
by the Brooklyn mans hackers at 500 to $40
The men entered the ring simultaneously
at $40 p. m. McGovern wore a green fias
around his neck which his seconds tied tc
the post in his corner after entering tn.
ring. Dixon wore white jocks with a bell
made out of small silk American flag. Nc
Govern wore white jocks. held up with ar
emerald green silk belt. Master of cere
monies Humphreys introduced the lads ant
announced that they were to box 2
rounds strictly under Marquis of Queens
berry rules.
The Fight by Rounds.