The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-11
NOT A BONA Eide Fight
Republican Chairman 0deIl Calls the
McGovern-D Dixon Bout a Fake.
He WAKES wroth and Declares the
Horton Law Must BE Repealed
Attended the "Go" with some OF
His Aides-A Benefit for the Former
Champion-ucFaddc and sullivan.

NEW YORK. Jan. 1O.-while Sporting
men and boxing enthusiasts were discuss
ing today the sensational battle between
Terry McGovern and George Dixon, they
were surprised to hear that Benjamin b.
odell, jr.. Chairman OF the Republican
State Committee, had declared that the
fight was barefaced fake and that In his
opinion the law should be repealed at once.
odell was quoted In an interview az TO-
lows:
II saw the fight from start to fnish.
like good sport, and do not mind seeing a
mix-up when there is fun. But there was
no fun last night. saw the whole thing
was fixed. The eolored man had the bet
ter Of il for the first three rounds. and il
he had kept up his pace he would have sent
McGoyern out, but that was not en- the
schedule. IL must have hurt Dixon to have
things fixed so that he bad to give In be-
fore eight rounds were completed.
THE truth OF the matter is that Dixon
, was not knocked down once. He had hard
work trying to trip himself up in the last
round, and when he at last succeeded In
| falling it was not dexterously done. He
began to get up, and when his seconds, or
! whoever it was that had charge OF the tx
Ing. saw that he might get to his feet be-
fore the count was made they rushed In
and threw up the sponge.
ct was one OF the most palpable fakes
ever saw. The orders did not read ior
Dixon to win. for the bets had not been
announced that way. After the fifth round
instead OF jabbing straight fer McGovern
he would hit around his neck and punch
the air. II was plain enough for any one
to see. 1t was all cut and dried BY those
who had fixed the betting I was dis
gusted. The law must be repealed at once.
Luther Little. who is at the head OF
the Republican State Committees press
bureau, and Gavin Mcknight, also saw the
fight and are said to agree with the SEN
timents expressed above This charge.
following so closely in the wake Of Gov
ernor Roosevelt's message which included
a recommendation that the boxing law
should be repealed served to stir up not
only the promoters Of the fight but many
persons who saw the go and were sat
isfied that it was decided on its merits.
Sporting men who lost thousands OF dol
lars on Dixon's defeat, were unanimous in
declaring that McGovern won honestly and
fairly Tom O'Rourke. Dixon's manager,
who threw the sponge into the ring at the
conclusion Of the eighth round, backed his
man heavily to win. He lost s.. 435 On the
result The losses on the result OF the
fight were larger than at first anticipated.
Many bets were made on ten rounds and
a pile Of Dixon money was invested during
the progress of the battle when the former
featherweight champions chances looked
bright
Both fighters were about the city today.
McGovern bore no tell-tale traces Of the
battle Dixon's face was considerably cut
up and marked but he seemed To be very
clipper
That Dixon's record as the champion in
the past is not to be quickly overlooked is
shown by the desire on the part OF his ad-
mirers to contribute to his benefit. which
is to be held soon in this city. 4 sub
scription list which was started Tuesday
night by Senator McCarren. who gave
$3.50. was increased today BY additional
contributions. Terry McGovern gave $3.50.
Spike Sullivan has agreed to meet
George McFadden again at the Broadway
Athletic Club for twenty-five rounds and
will let the entire receipts go to Dixon.
Joe Walcott made a similar proposition.
The rival Dugiiists were paid OF imme-
diately after the fight. Dixon received
s3.O1t and McGovern. Ss.O3S
Il was glad that did not knock Dixon
out" Terry said today. because II would
pain me to see such game little fellow.
who held the championship so long. put to
sleep He is fair fighter and the best
man | ever met. will cheerfully box at
his benefit and do all I can to help him