Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-27
GOSSIP OF
BOXING RING
DIXON BEST DRAWING CARD OF
HIS TIME IN ARENA
Little Chocolate Was Given a Warm
Reception Everywhere and
Made Fortune for His
Manager

| in boxing circles so far was the sudden
death of George Dixon in the alcoholic
ward of a New York hospital. Dixon
was the greatest little fighter in the
history of the ring, and was the worlds
champion America could rightly claim
for her own. He was born In Canada
and was scrappy from his boyhood.
Dixon was discovered by Tom O'Rourke,
then Bostonian, and long friendship
between them was begun which lasted
| till it was utterly destroyed by the dis
sipated habits of the famous little coll
ored fighter. George, who was called
Little Chocolate" and several other
nicknames, broke into prominence with
his first match with Cal Mccarthy, the
then recognized champion among the
little boxers of that time. Under the
guidance of O'Rourke, he went along
for many years holding the champion
ship and gathering for himself and his
manager a fortune estimated to be
about $780, 900. 1t has been stated at
various times that O'Rourke took half
of Dfxon's money, and that he grew
rich and Dixon finally died a pauper.
The impression is given out that Dixon
was the whole thing, and that he would
have gotten just as much money as
O'Rourke, who used Dixon for meal
ticket till he outlived his usefulness, to
be then thrown overheard by the man
who had grown wealthy through his
efforts. Such is, however, not the case
by any means. In the first place, 1t
was O'Rourkes foresight and ability
which saw the possibilities of Dixon's
power as a pugilist. Dixon was not the
champion when ORourke took hold of
him, nor did he attain those honors for
a long time after Tom had undertaken
the task of managing him.
O'Rourke a Hustler
The basis on which O'Rourke and
Dixon did business was not on an even
split of Dixon's winnings, but they each
took 40 per cent of what was left after
expenses were paid, which was a, very
different matter, as is well known to
anybody who has ever handled boxer
or wrestler Outside of the fighting
great deal of Dixon's money was made
in theatrical work, giving exhibitions
with a sparring partner or in meeting
all Corners. 1t was in securing this
source of income, which was a very i'm
portant one, that O'Rourke showed his
ability, and II is d fact that many
thousands which they earned in this
way tho pair would never have got
had 1t not been for O'Rourke's hustling
abilities. Dixon is credited with stat
ing that he had earned as his share of
the partnership with O'Rourke $97, 600,
and he had also stated that at one time
he had $4,000 in bank. 1t will be seen
from the above that ORourke must
have been pretty square with him in
giving him just what he was entitled
to. ORourke has said on his part that
he defied any man living to prove that
he had ever given Dixon or any other
fighter he did business for the worst of
it for even onS dollar. Hence If Dixon
did not take care of what he got the
blame cannot be laid at the door of his
manager. O'Rourke thought a great
deal of the little colored fellow, and he
would have stuck to him till the end,
for he well appreciated the money
maker that Dixon was for him, but
Dixon's love for drink and the dissolute
habits he acquired made 1t utterly i'm
possible. Those who have ever had
anything to do with the handling of
fighters are aware of the fact that
good hustling manager can have his
hands full in trying to look after the
interests of his man and leave the lat
ter free to do nothing but train, and
when the time is ready walk into the
ring and fight. 1t would take the whole
of this column to tell even a portion of
the things a manager has to look after
for his end in handling a big match.
Dixon Worlds Champion
There are no doubt quite a few fol-
lowers of the sport who will remember
Dixon's first appearance in this city
when he met Matty McCarty In a bout
at the old Southwark Athletic club,
which was in the Market building, on
Christian street, below Eighth, where
the present National Athletic club was
afterward started. The fight took place
March 81, 1890, and was a very spirited
one. Mccarthy made Dixon extend
himself to the limit. Dixon shortly
afterward went to England with
O'Rourke, and he picked up a great
deal of money over there after he beat
Nunc Wallace, with whom he after
ward made a tour of the country, CIV
ing exhibitions in the theaters and
music halls. Dixon was not the cham
pion of this country at that time and
he did not win the honor till after his
return, when he defeated Cal Mccarthy
in a 22-round fight at Troy. N. Y. This
fight was for the featherweight cham
pionship, and the men fought with two
ounce gloves. Jere Dunn was the ref
cree and, in addition to the gate re-
ceipts, there was a side bet of $2500 each
depending on the result. This fight was
one of the most talked of at that time
and the defeat of Mccarthy created
great deal of surprise. as 1t was thought
| that he was almost invincible in his
class, but he began to go back, while
Dixon was getting stronger and bet
| ter fighter every day. In that fight
Dixon earned from the gate receipts
$4,000. His next important engagement
was with Abe Willis considered the
best little fellow of his day in Austria
ia. They met at the California Ath-
letic club, San Francisco, at 115 pounds
fight was for the worlds championship
and yielded Dixon $4250. This fight es-
! tablished Dixon's claim as champion
| of the world, which he further clinched
| in his fight with Fred H. Johnson of
England at Coney Island, when he
earned $4,000 by beating Johnson in
fourteen rounds. In other internation-
| al fights Dixon beat Billy Plimmer in
| four rounds and Billy Murphy of Aus
tralia in three rounds the latter fight
taking place at Paterson, N. j., and
ending in row.
DIxon's First Setback
Dixon's first setback took place in
this city at an exhibition gotten up by
w. H. Recap of the Public Ledger for
the double purpose of aiding the starv-
ing workrnen of the Kensington district
and to revive boxing, which was tenn
norariIy under the ban. Dixon volun-
| teered his services and boxed Walter
Edgerton, the Kentucky rosebud. The
bout was supposed to be an exhibition
bout only, and, Dixon growing careless
the Rosebud slipped over a punch