Arizona republican., 1920-10-17
TOMMY DIXON K. FEATHER-W WEIGH1
 CHAMP IS MAKING
 HOME IN PHOENIX

Boxing idols of yesterday are un- known to the fans of today, except in the boving records and evening tales of the wonderful fights staged 15 or % years ago. The dyed in the wool fight fans can name the dates and principals of every big fight in recent years, but very few Phoenix fight fans realize that right here in our own little city lives an ex-champion of % years back and a fellow who made fight history while in the game.
 Tommy Dixon, featherweight cham pion of America way back fin the DOS. is making his home In Phoenix at the present time, and Tom will probably reside here permanently unless he changes his opinion of the great Salt River valley.
 Tommy Dixon first saw the light of day in Rochester. N. r., in 1870, but his looks are deceiving, as the little fellow does not appear older than 36 or 37 years He came to Phoenix about two weeks ago from Rochester, N. Y, where he settled down many years ago after retiring from the ropei arena. For the last three or four years Dixon's health has been failing and he decided to come west to recuperate, buying his ticket direct to Phoenix to visit with his old friend. R. E. Shepherd. candi- date for county attorney. Shepherd and Dixon were pals % years ago and they arc pals today. Tommy spends his spare time In Shepherds office. where he talks over the struggles fin his early life. It's hard to get Dixon stPrted. but once he opens up Inc can give you ring history that never was printed in the record books.
 Perhaps the greatest fight in which Dixontoo< part was staged in Kansas City. May 26. 1895. when Dixon mel Oscar Gardner (the Omaha I<idl in a6 rounds. winning the feathsrwe.ghi championship of America and tho mu- niflcent sum of S200O. Gardner was rated the best featherweight in ths game. not excepting the world cham pion, George Dixon (colorcd). and figh' fans from all parts of the country jour neyed to Kansas City. Co watch tho fight. For the first 15 rounds Gardner had the fight won by a big margin with Dixon continuing the fight dc. spite the handicap of Gardners expe. rience and hitting powers. After tho 18th round Dixon started after his man wearing him down with counties, blows to the head and body untilGard ner fell tO the mat in the 36th round too weak to regain his feet. but game iy resisting tho pleading of his sec onds. who wanted to throw in th sponge. Finally Cardner's second ignored tho orders of their fighter an, threw in the sponge, giving Dixon th tho hardest fought rounds ever re corded in thef annals of the Americai sport.
 The fight was winner talSe-all am $500 side bet. Just before the gonl sounded Gardner bet Dixon anothe SEQ which was all the money Gardne possessed. When tho fight ended Cara ner was broke" even without car far out of town, but Dixon passed the hat obtaining st36 for Gardner. which wa increased by a donation from Tomm himself
 After tho Gardner fight. Tomm Dixon challenged George Dixon, tn champ, to a finish fight for the world title and the bout was signed by tn Dallas Athletic club George Dixo and Tommy Dixon posted s2500 eac to guarantee their appearance and th