The Washington times., 1930-08-06
GIANT KILLER
GAVE ERNE
Is LBS.

~ EDOH
Eligo Sardinias, better known as
kid" Chocolate, the little Cuban
negro boxer, who meets Jackie
kid" Berg in the Polo Grounds
at New York tomorrow night, is
aping the career Of a dusky |
fighter Of other days, George
Dixon, "Jack the Giant Killer" Of
the gay nineties. It remained for
the little Cuban to rebut the old
timers claim that boxing is a lost
art. The ease with which he has
his fifty-odd victories,
with no defeats, has bordered on
Though not a killer,
he has won his victories with
technical skill that appears me-
chanical, but which undoubtedly
is inherent.
Turning back the pages Of fight
history Is found an interesting
dissertation on weight agree
ment in which the aforemen-
toned George Dixon was an In
terested party. The following
transcript in part from an old
Police Gazette makes interesting
reading:
"Tom, that's all right. III
fight shim II he weighs
tom"
Thus spoke little George Dixon
ito Tom O'Rourke, his manager)
Just before his memorable 25-
round scrap with Frank Erne, OF
Buffalo, at the Broadway Athletic
Club, New York City, April Z,
1897.
The men had agreed to weigh
in at i22 pounds and each posted
$500 foffeit to guarantee to
make the poundage. When they
did Jump on the scale at noon
of the day OF the battle. Dixon
hoped on with confident smile.
The bar had been set at l22 and
it never trembled as Little Choco-
late" stepped on the platform.
Erne jumped on the scales and
the bar flew up as though an ele-1
phant had stepped on the plat
form. When O'Rourke finished
moving up the counter balance
Erne's weight registered 1904, or
aiClot and q half pounds over the
stipulated figure. Dixon's real
weight was said to be 116R. jim
Kennedy and O'Rourke then had
a wordy discussion. The former
objected to paying the $500 for
felt: but finally agreed to settle
for $3.50.
OyRourke was inclined to
forbid Dixon to give so much
weight and as late as 8 o'clock
he was considering the advlS-
ability Of calling off the show
and returning the money
taken in at the box. office.
"spike" Sullivan and kid" Nc
Partland both were on deck and
pleaded with O'Rourke to give
them a chance at Erne. O'Rourke,
however, did not look with favor
on such an arrangement. 1t was
the stout.hearted little champion
who settled all the argument and
made it possible Tor the tlgnt
to take place.
Erne weighed In again at Z
o'clock and tipped the scales at
134. and when the bout began he
weighed 1876. Dixon by that time
weighed 100.
There was a wild outburst OF
Indignation when the manager
said Erne was eight and one-han
pounds overweight.
"He doesn't want to disap-
uOint you, gentlemen" said
O'ROurke, pointing to Dixon.
The sporting men gave three
cheers for the plucky. little cham
pion, Erne's entrance into the
ring was devoid of applause.
When Referee Roche entered
Cne ring nc U1dOS GLAC uAAAEOAASS
ment that all bets were of, CIV
ing as his reason the fact that
the people who wagered their
money on Dixon were ignorant
of the advantage Erne had in
weight, and to hold them to their
agreement until the information
had been disseminated would be
unfair. Many bets were made,
however, after Referee Roche's
decision had been given, even
money being wagered and freely
taken by Dixon's adherents.
After .25 rounds of fighting the
referee decided in favor of Dixon.
Who knows but what the Little
Chocolate" of today, giving away
poundage, may also be victorious
over his opponent. Jackie kid"
Berg, Of England?
MGstrO Is FQUOrite