Kentucky Rosebud Knocks Out Dixon

KENTUCKY ROSEBUD KNOCKS OUT DIXON The Champion Feather-Weight Defeated in Two Rounds by Walter Edgerton. He Is Knocked Senseless and Has to Be Dragged to His Corner. Sensational Termination of the Friendly Boxing Bout at Industrial Hall in Behalf of the Bread Fund—Wild Excitement Follows the Fall of the Champion—Other Events of an Interesting Program. By a single blow from the gloved fist of Walter Edgerton, the "Kentucky Rosebud," George Dixon, the undefeated feather-weight champion of the world, was completely knocked out last night at the Industrial Hall athletic carnival for the benefit of the Bread Fund. The champion was knocked flat and was fairly dragged to his chair. Only prompt interference prevented a probably sensational termination of an ordinarily friendly bout. It occurred in the second round of their set-to, which had been eagerly looked forward to by the assemblage of over 2000 persons present as the star event of the evening. It was known that the "Rosebud," who has achieved a widespread local reputation, had long been anxious to meet the champion in a finish contest, and everyone expected some hot and fast work, but the climax of the "go" utterly paralyzed them. There was a cordial greeting for the champion when he entered the ring, and an equally warm one for the "Rosebud." Jimmy McHale looked after the Philadelphian, and Tom O'Rourke, Dixon's manager, and Professor Jack Lynch were behind the champion. The first round was a good-natured bit of sparring and the second of the same nature, the exchanges being somewhat in favor of Dixon. THE KNOCK-OUT BLOW. Towards the end of the second round they came together in a fast rally and the "Rosebud" landed on the champion's jaw with a heavy right-hand swing. Dixon went down backward like a log, his face wearing a dazed look. His body had hardly touched the floor when the watchful O'Rourke and Lynch sprang forward simultaneously. The limp form of the champion was seized under the arms and he was literally dragged to his chair, which sat only a few feet distant. The "Rosebud" merely looked at the fallen Dixon and made no move. In an instant the most intense excitement prevailed. The big crowd, dazed for a few fleeting seconds by the sensational conclusion of the round, broke into a confusion of cries and exclamations. "He's out! he's out!" was uttered by hundreds, and in the few succeeding moments, during which those on the stage worked vigorously with the champion, there was a wild hum of speculation and comment. On the raised platform a little anxious-looking group about Dixon were busily engaged in the work of bringing him around, while the audience breathlessly awaited results. For two minutes the champion of all feather-weights never opened his eyes. For two or three minutes more he rested and regained his strength and senses. Then he sprang forward for the last round. It was an interesting battle, in which Dixon landed good and hard twice, but the revenge the champion was expected to seek did not result in any hard fighting. JOE BUTLER GUARDS DIXON. Just before the final round Jimmy McHale wanted time called a minute or so before it was, and he and Tom O'Rourke had a war of words. After the men left the stage the friends of the "Rosebud" attempted to hustle the Dixon party, but big Joe Butler took charge of the champion and guarded him safely to his room. Tom O'Rourke and several of Dixon's friends attempted to explain the champion's downfall by saying it was an accident that the "Rosebud" had struck Dixon on the jaw with his elbow. Those who saw the blow delivered only laughed at this lame excuse. Never was a blow fairer delivered nor was there ever a fairer knock-out. A CHANCE FOR A FIGHT. "I suppose the 'Rosebud' will be able to get backing now," said Tom O'Rourke. "You can say that Dixon will meet him for ten rounds or to a finish any time he can raise a respectable stake." The "Kentucky Rosebud" shook a thousand hands after he came out of his dressing room. "I knewed I'd be champion some day," said he. "George is a very nice fighter, but I always felt it in my bones dat I could whip him." "The Rosebud will be the biggest coon on Lombard street to-morrow," said Joe Butler, "and he will wear his white high hat for sure." JUDGE WESCOTT ON BOXING. Preceding the Dixon-Rosebud contest there was a long and attractive program of sparring and wrestling bouts, interspersed with musical selections by the First Regiment Band. Just before the athletes began their work there was a short program by the band and an address by Judge Wetcott, of Camden, who declared boxing to be one of the greatest of athletic sports. He said it had suffered sadly through misrepresentation. The judge was loudly applauded and then the sports began. William Kirby and Frank Farley sparred three warm rounds and were followed by John Corrigan, of Manayunk, and Thomas Devlin, boxing instructor of the Roxborough Athletic Club. Then Joe Butler, the well-known Philadelphia middle-weight, met his old antagonist, Jim Daly, of Buffalo, N. Y., in three interesting rounds, where points were about even. There was an exciting six-minute wrestling match between Emil Beck, of the Bank Clerks' Association, and William Diggins, of England, in which neither man gained a fall. Professor William H. Coupe, instructor of the A. C. S. N., met Herman Wolte in a six-minute bout with the same result.