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kenyan_cheena · 04-19-2008, 05:04 AM

DIXON LOSES BY SPLIT DECISION
AT MONTREAL'S BELL CENTRE

Thursday 26 September 2002

In a real slugfest Canadian Featherweight George Dixon became the latest Olympic medallist to lose his professional debut, the 20 year-old dropping a split decision verdict to the talented Pennsylvanian teenager Terry McGovern (58-56, 56-58, 58-56). The Nova Scotia native had been looking forward to this night with great enthusiasm but it all went terribly wrong for him, and in front of his fellow Canadians at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The venue was hosting its second boxing event in three nights following Tuesday's HBF card. But unlike on that night there was no Canuck victory in the main event, Dixon paying the price for a lack of aggression against an opponent who had it in spades.

McGovern had been one of many standouts at the league's Atlantic City selection trials so to be honest his victory was not really an upset. However most felt that, fighting in his homeland, Dixon would be too hungry and determined for him. The opening round was an absolute cracker, McGovern coming out firing before Dixon evened the ledger with some precision combinations in its bottom half. The action intensified in the 2nd, Dixon picking up where he'd left off and taking the round convincingly, his fists a blur as he peppered his man with lefts and rights. McGovern rallied somewhat late in the piece but his efforts were nowhere near enough to negate what Dixon had already achieved. Round three saw both men fight more within themselves, almost as if they'd come to a mutual agreement to take the round off.

As the contest entered its second half McGovern stepped up his aggression, throwing a total of 120 punches in round four alone. Understandably his strategy kept Dixon on the backfoot but the Canadian displayed an exquisite countering ability, sneaking in a number of effective shots and outlanding McGovern 29-16 during the round. The 18 year-old Johnstown native maintained his approach in the 5th, casting a stunned silence around the Bell Centre when he dropped Dixon with a barrage of punches a minute into the frame. A left jab/straight right combination staggered Dixon and a follow up left-right-left salvo put him on his back, the final punch a jolting shot that snapped the silver medallist's head around. For a moment it looked like he'd fail to beat the count but Dixon made it to his feet at eight. McGovern went to work on him for the rest of the round, the crowd imploring Dixon to stay in the contest. No one could have complained if the referee had decided to stop the fight because Dixon wore a number of flush blows, the worst of them a smashing uppercut a minute from the bell.

Dixon showed his courage as he finished the fight brilliantly, outslugging McGovern in the final round and almost flooring him with a haymaker of a left hook shortly before the final bell. But despite that effort he came up just short, McGovern's work in rounds three through five turning out to be the difference. Two of the judges favoured him by a total of three points in that stretch, Dixon not winning a single one of the rounds on either card. McGovern exclaimed jubilantly when the verdict was announced, Dixon lowering his eyes and shaking his head but showing graciousness in defeat.

Punch totals

Terry McGovern: 134/444 (.302)
George Dixon: 167/407 (.410)

"Helluva fight," said a relieved McGovern. "I can't quite believe I managed to pull it off, to be honest. He's a bit of a national hero here in Canada so to defeat him at home, that's something pretty special."

Dixon lamented his lax attitude through the middle rounds.

"He wanted it more than I did," he said. "It's as simple as that. Although I have to say it hurts knowing I lost because I was outhustled in a fight I've been looking forward to for so long."

(to be continued)

04-19-2008, 05:04 AM	#522 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,684	DIXON LOSES BY SPLIT DECISION AT MONTREAL'S BELL CENTRE Thursday 26 September 2002 In a real slugfest Canadian Featherweight George Dixon became the latest Olympic medallist to lose his professional debut, the 20 year-old dropping a split decision verdict to the talented Pennsylvanian teenager Terry McGovern (58-56, 56-58, 58-56). The Nova Scotia native had been looking forward to this night with great enthusiasm but it all went terribly wrong for him, and in front of his fellow Canadians at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The venue was hosting its second boxing event in three nights following Tuesday's HBF card. But unlike on that night there was no Canuck victory in the main event, Dixon paying the price for a lack of aggression against an opponent who had it in spades. McGovern had been one of many standouts at the league's Atlantic City selection trials so to be honest his victory was not really an upset. However most felt that, fighting in his homeland, Dixon would be too hungry and determined for him. The opening round was an absolute cracker, McGovern coming out firing before Dixon evened the ledger with some precision combinations in its bottom half. The action intensified in the 2nd, Dixon picking up where he'd left off and taking the round convincingly, his fists a blur as he peppered his man with lefts and rights. McGovern rallied somewhat late in the piece but his efforts were nowhere near enough to negate what Dixon had already achieved. Round three saw both men fight more within themselves, almost as if they'd come to a mutual agreement to take the round off. As the contest entered its second half McGovern stepped up his aggression, throwing a total of 120 punches in round four alone. Understandably his strategy kept Dixon on the backfoot but the Canadian displayed an exquisite countering ability, sneaking in a number of effective shots and outlanding McGovern 29-16 during the round. The 18 year-old Johnstown native maintained his approach in the 5th, casting a stunned silence around the Bell Centre when he dropped Dixon with a barrage of punches a minute into the frame. A left jab/straight right combination staggered Dixon and a follow up left-right-left salvo put him on his back, the final punch a jolting shot that snapped the silver medallist's head around. For a moment it looked like he'd fail to beat the count but Dixon made it to his feet at eight. McGovern went to work on him for the rest of the round, the crowd imploring Dixon to stay in the contest. No one could have complained if the referee had decided to stop the fight because Dixon wore a number of flush blows, the worst of them a smashing uppercut a minute from the bell. Dixon showed his courage as he finished the fight brilliantly, outslugging McGovern in the final round and almost flooring him with a haymaker of a left hook shortly before the final bell. But despite that effort he came up just short, McGovern's work in rounds three through five turning out to be the difference. Two of the judges favoured him by a total of three points in that stretch, Dixon not winning a single one of the rounds on either card. McGovern exclaimed jubilantly when the verdict was announced, Dixon lowering his eyes and shaking his head but showing graciousness in defeat. *Punch totals* Terry McGovern: 134/444 (.302) George Dixon: 167/407 (.410) "Helluva fight," said a relieved McGovern. "I can't quite believe I managed to pull it off, to be honest. He's a bit of a national hero here in Canada so to defeat him at home, that's something pretty special." Dixon lamented his lax attitude through the middle rounds. "He wanted it more than I did," he said. "It's as simple as that. Although I have to say it hurts knowing I lost because I was outhustled in a fight I've been looking forward to for so long." (to be continued) __________________ MLB: 1958 and Beyond... The Greatest Prize in Sports Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 04-20-2008 at 11:38 PM.