Arizona republican., 1900-08-12
GEORGE DIXON PENNILEss
The COlored Fighter Tells How He
 Squandered a Fortune.

New York, Aug. 11.-George Dixon, one of the greatest fighters ever pro- duced in this country, is practically penniless today. The little colored wonder has been fighting fourteen years next September, and although he claims he has made himself about $97,- eco. the only thing he says he can show for it today is a house in Boston which he owns and for which he paid s6,0OO. Dixon would not say how much money Tom O'Rourke. his manager. made since he has had him under his wing, but as O'Rourke has been dividing tde proceeds equally with him. he TO doubt has also made s97, ,OOO Dixon says his condition today may be attributed to fast living, playing the races. gambling and lending money to friends.
 ''To begin with" he said ''I have been fighting fourteen years next Sep tember. I have fought for big and small purses during that time, and as have also been on the road with theat- rical companies for over four years. I think I can safely say that have made for myself about $97OOO.
 When l say that 1 have made that much money I'm not lying, for the money came very fast to me, but. be- ing a careless fellow. 1 squandered it just as fast, so that at the present time out of all that money I only have a few hundred dollars and a house in Boston for which I paid $6,000.
 T lost my money by gambling. play ing the races, leading a fast life and by lending my money to friends When l think of how much money I went through it gives me chills.
 How much money my manager. Tom O'Rourke, has made off of my fighting don't care to state, as that is purely personal matter. MT. O'Rourke has treated me splendidly since he first be- came my manager thirteen years ago, and l have no complaint to offer.
 At one time l had $S0,OOO in bank; that was when l was good little boy But I fell from grace. like John L. Sullivan. and all the others, and when once I got started on that road my money slipped away from me very quickly. I was good fellow. I guess, with my money, but as all good fellows generally see a day when they need a dollar, I certainly have already seen that time very often.
 If I had my life over again 1 bet I wouldn't spend my money as reck- lessly as I did. I would be as great a saver as Terry McGovern. l hope MCGovern won't get as careless as I was. for We have to fight too hard to get rich.
 My first big winnings out of a fight was my second battle with poor Cal Mccarthy. who is dead now. l got $5,000 for beating him in Troy. The first fight we had I made 1000, making S6,0O0 altogether
 Tn my fight with Eddie Pierce at Coney island I got $23OO; for that with Jack SweHy I received $17,5OO; with Fred Johnson. the Englishman. at Coney Island. got $14,O0O, and with Solly Smith at the island l was handed $S, 0OO
 Those were my largest winnings. The other fights which I have had and which brought me in plenty of money were with Abe Willis. the Australian, from whom I go $5OOO for defeating; Nune Wallace. in England $25OO: Johnny Murphy, twice. $6.000; three fights with Young Griffo. over $12,0OO My fights with Dal Hawkins and Soily Smith in San Francisco nettcd me over &. .O00 while my two battles with Terry McGovern. one in this city and the other in Chicago, gave me over $1 800.
 "I have been on the road for over four years. and. as there was plenty Of money in the theatrical business at that time we never got less that $400 q week for OUT share after all expenses Were paid.
 After figuring up at a rough esi- mate how much money l realized out of the show business I think l can safely say that 1 got for my share over $15, ,OOO."