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Only Known George Dixon Autograph, The First Black

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Only Known George Dixon Autograph, The First Black Boxing World Champion
Legendary 19th Century Bantam and Featherweight World Champion George Dixon, known as "The Little Chocolate" fought extensively in America and Europe. Dixon was the first black boxing world champion in any weight class, while also being the first ever Canadian-born boxing champion. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he stood 5'3" tall and weighed only 87 pounds when he began his professional boxing career. George Dixon claimed the world bantamweight title in 1888 and was officially considered the champion after knocking out Nunc Wallace of England in 18 rounds on June 27, 1890. The following year, on May 31, 1891, George beat Cal McCarthy in 22 rounds to win the featherweight title. In all, George won 78 fights, 30 by knockout, and lost 26. He lost his title in a 15-round decision to Abe Attell on October 28, 1901. Offered here is a 3" by 4" slip of paper, bearing Dixon's signature in pencil (10/10). Just beneath the signature the original owner of the autograph page has written "1870 (the year of Dixon's birth) World's Featherweight Champion." On the bottom of the page, the British actor "E. Story Grafton" has also signed his name. Dixon died at the age of 38 in 1909. A great rarity, as we know of no other authentic Dixon signature known. LOA from JSA.

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