George Dixon was born in Africville, Nova Scotia’s Black community, in 1870, although he moved with his family to Boston when he was around ten years old. It was in Boston, working as a photographer’s assistant, that he was introduced to the sport of boxing, as the studio was frequented by boxers getting promotional photos taken. George was a natural, and had his first fight at age 16. At 5’3,” he fought as a bantamweight and won by knockout.
Dixon’s career would span twenty years and 163 fights, with 74 wins—36 of those coming by knockout.
In 1888, Dixon won the world championship bantamweight title in Boston.