McGovern sure seemed to kick the **** out of Dixon.

McGrain · Jan 1, 2010

Check out this write up from Dixon's previous title fight with Lenny:

"George Dixon go the decision over Lenny of Philadelphia last night over 25 rounds...Dixon looked at times like his old-time self, but during the majority of the rounds, although he [contained] Lenny safely, it was only to evident that the champion had gone back woefully. If tonight's bouts brought out his best points it is pretty nearly a certainty that McGovern will wrestle the title from [Dixon] who has held it for so many years."

McGrain · Jan 1, 2010

janitor said: ↑

It suggests to me that a prime Dixon would have been quite a force in that era.
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Dixon seems to have been an expert parry/counter-puncher of the body-attack. Inspite of the result i'd tend to lean towards Dixon prime for prime.

Drew101 · Jan 1, 2010

I actually use this fight as a basis for rating Dixon higher in my all-time featherweight ratings than Terrible Terry. The fact that he hung tough for as long as he did, and was actually leading for a while when clearly past his prime indicates that he might have been able to take the measure of McGovern at his best. When combined with the fact that he was the dominant featherweight throughout the course of the previous decade, that tips the scale in his favor, imo.

McGrain · Jan 1, 2010

Maybe Drew, maybe.

One thing that strikes me is that Dixon fought a really, really aggressive fight. Judging purely from words on a page I would say the most aggressive fight he ever fought? Real violence at a fast pace. I'd compare it to Moore-Marciano, where Moore embraced a style that is counter-intuitive that is nevertheless the right plan on account of Moore's time of life. He knew he wasn't hanging for 15 and it had to be settled earlier, one way or the other.

Mendoza · Jan 13, 2010

McGrain said: ↑

Good-evening.

From The Saint Paul Globe -

"Tonight Terry McGovern wrestled the world featherweight championship from George Dixon. To save Dixon from a KO, his manager threw up the sponge early in the 8th, when the negro was staggering helplessly, bleeding and weak, but as game as heretofore.

Dixon and McGovern stepped onto the scales this-afternoon weighing 118. Dixon seemed to be in the better condition. He looked...as if the weight did not trouble him whilst McGovern seemed to finely drawn. When he stepped into the ring, however, McGovern seemed in perfect condition, as they both did when stripped.

Dixon from on the first bash on the gong was on the aggressive, looking for the lead left, which McGovern consistantly stepped aside of and set to that champion's lower works. McGovern's attack on the body was a surprise to Dixon as no boxer who ever faced the negro was able to land on the wind, ribs, and kidney, as McGovern did tonight.

Dixon jarred McGovern multiple times throughout with cracks to the ear or jam but Terry was always back at his man in a jiffy relentlessly smashing with either hand to the body.

The seventh round was a disastrous one for Dixon. Terry broke Dixon's nose in this round after which he sent a right hand smash that landed over the champion's heart and George staggered to the corner with blood gushing from his nasal organ.

Dixon came up to scratch as game as ever in the 8th round which proved to be his last. Early in the round George slipped to the floor...Dixon was knocked to the floor in the aftermath taking the greater part of the count...Terry scarecely three feet away...Dixon went down again from a body blow, and in all went down eight more times in the round, the last five times being as the result of terrible body punches."

Just after this, Tom O'Rourke threw the sponge in on his man's behalf - about right. McGovern was hailed by the crowd, but:

"Dixon, as the ex-champion was not forgotten as round after round of applause was given for the lad who had defended his title so cleverly for nine years. He left the ring bleeeding and beaten after what might have been his last contest...Dixon was badly marked but McGovern was unscathed...Dixon felt his defeat very keenly."
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McGovern was the Tyson of his times in the lower weights. I think he beat Gans fair in sqaure, but many say it was a fix.

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McGovern sure seemed to kick the **** out of Dixon.

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McGovern sure seemed to kick the **** out of Dixon.

McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member