George Dixon (boxer)
# George Dixon (boxer)

George Dixon (July 29, 1870 – January 6, 1908) was a Canadian professional boxer. After winning the bantamweight title in 1892, he became the first ever black athlete to win a world championship in any sport; he was also the first Canadian-born boxing champion. Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer ranked Dixon as the #1 featherweight of all-time. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1955, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1956 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-class inductee in 1990. In 2018 he was named one of the greatest 15 athletes in Nova Scotia's history, ranking sixth.

## Boxing career

Dixon was born in Africville, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Known as "Little Chocolate" he stood 5 feet 3.5 inches (1.613 m) tall and weighed only 87 pounds (39 kg) when he began his professional boxing career. Dixon is widely credited for developing shadowboxing.

Dixon claimed the world bantamweight title on May 10, 1888, after a bout with Tommy Spider Kelly, and was officially considered the champion after knocking out Nunc Wallace of England in 18 rounds two years later on June 27, 1890.

The following year, on May 31, 1891, Dixon beat Cal McCarthy in 22 rounds to win the world featherweight title. While he held the title, Dixon established a vaudeville troupe he called the "George Dixon Specialty Co." which toured Canada and the United States; it appeared at the Naylor Opera House in Terre Haute, Indiana, on November 8, 1894.

On October 4, 1897, he lost the title by decision in a rematch bout with Solly Smith, who he had previously defeated by seventh-round technical knockout.

In a close bout, he lost to the British featherweight champion Ben Jordan on July 1, 1898, at New York's Lenox Club in a classic twenty five round points decision by referee Charley White. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "Dixon did the leading but unlike many of those who had previously met the little Colored fighter, Jordan went at him and mixed it all the time." The bout was close, and many believed a draw would have been a better decision. Jordan was down on his hands and knees in the seventh from a blow by Dixon, but the bout contained relatively few knockdowns and no counts. The bout ended with a flurry by Dixon, but the referee did not feel it adequate to award him the decision. The Chronicle actually believed Dixon had the edge in the fighting. The Los Angeles Times also agreed the bout was close and that "Both men fought well and there was little to choose between them".

Dixon was in talks to face champion Solly Smith in a third meeting, however, Smith lost the world title in a surprising upset against Dave Sullivan – the bout was stopped in the fifth round after Smith sustained a broken arm. Dixon instead turned his attention to newly crowned champion Sullivan, and on November 11, 1898, he reclaimed the world featherweight title by decisively defeating him in a tenth round disqualification at New York City's Lenox Club. Sullivan had held the title only forty-six days.

At the time of the fight the betting favored Dixon, but was close, and briefly went to even odds. For nine rounds in front of eight thousand spectators, Dixon had the advantage.

In the final round, Sullivan's brother Jack walked into the ring twice to speak to Jimmy Coville the referee about the time remaining in the round, eventually causing Coville to end the fight, in frustration over Jack's infraction. Sullivan could have fought on, though he would have almost certainly lost the fight.

Dixon lost his featherweight title in a 15-round decision to Abe Attell on October 28, 1901, though other sources credit his loss of the title to Terry McGovern on January 9, 1900.

By that time, he had moved to Boston, where he had family; it was a destination for other immigrants from Africville.

Not long after his last fight, Dixon died on January 6, 1908, in the alcohol ward of Bellevue Hospital. Dixon was living and begging on the streets of New York with no friends. Attempts by Dixon's fans to get Dixon back on his feet failed and the media reported the end was near for the former champion who had fallen on dark times. Dixon would tell doctors he had no friends except for former world heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan. Part of his hospital bills for the illness that took his life was paid for by a charity boxing tournament put on January 23, 1908, at Bower's Minery Theatre in New York. He is interred in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts. A recreation and community centre adjacent Uniacke Square in Halifax is named in his honour. In 2021, Dixon was named a National Historic Person by the government of Canada, on the recommendation of the national Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

## Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

| 176 fights | 68 wins | 30 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 36 | 6 |
| By decision | 29 | 23 |
| By disqualification | 3 | 1 |
| Draws | 57 | 57 |
| No contests | 8 | 8 |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 13 | 13 |

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted as a win, loss or draw.

| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 176 | Loss | 68–30–57 (21) | Monk The Newsboy | PTS | 15 | Dec 10, 1906 | Standard A.C., Lymansville, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 175 | Draw | 68–29–57 (21) | Billy Ryan | PTS | 12 | May 21, 1906 | Gloucester A.C., Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 174 | Draw | 68–29–56 (21) | Patsy Haley | NWS | 3 | Jan 16, 1906 | Cayler A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 173 | Win | 68–29–56 (20) | Harry Shea | KO | 3 (?) | Jan 4, 1906 | Roman A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 172 | Win | 67–29–56 (20) | Frank Howe | NWS | 3 | Dec 28, 1905 | Long Acre A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 171 | Loss | 67–29–56 (19) | Harlem Tommy Murphy | KO | 2 (6) | Sep 20, 1905 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 170 | Draw | 67–28–56 (19) | Joe Goodwin | PTS | 10 | Jun 26, 1905 | Labour Hall, Manchester, Lancashire, England | |
| 169 | Win | 67–28–55 (19) | Alf Wood | PTS | 8 | Jun 8, 1905 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 168 | Draw | 66–28–55 (19) | Dick Nelson | PTS | 10 | May 28, 1905 | Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 167 | Draw | 66–28–54 (19) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Apr 17, 1905 | Corn Exchange, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England | |
| 166 | Draw | 66–28–53 (19) | Darkey Haley | PTS | 6 | Apr 15, 1905 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 165 | Draw | 66–28–52 (19) | Jack Foy | PTS | 15 | Apr 6, 1905 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 164 | NC | 66–28–51 (19) | Jim Keith | ND | 3 | Apr 1, 1905 | Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Scotland | No decision trial bout |
| 163 | Draw | 66–28–51 (18) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 20 | Mar 6, 1905 | Norfolk Drill Hall, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England | Billed English 8st 8lbs title |
| 162 | Win | 66–28–50 (18) | Stoker Stoodley | TKO | 5 (20) | Feb 25, 1905 | Volunteer Engineers Drill Hall, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England | |
| 161 | Draw | 65–28–50 (18) | Darkey Haley | PTS | 6 | Feb 18, 1905 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 160 | Loss | 65–28–49 (18) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Jan 30, 1905 | Drill Hall, Guildford, Surrey, England | |
| 159 | Draw | 65–27–49 (18) | Johnny Hughes | PTS | 8 | Jan 6, 1905 | Corn Exchange, Ashford, Kent, England | |
| 158 | Draw | 65–27–48 (18) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Dec 23, 1904 | Philharmonic Hall, Southampton, Hampshire, England | |
| 157 | Draw | 65–27–47 (18) | Boss Edwards | PTS | 15 | Nov 24, 1904 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 156 | Loss | 65–27–46 (18) | Owen Moran | PTS | 6 | Oct 17, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England | |
| 155 | Loss | 65–26–46 (18) | Tommy Burns | PTS | 20 | Apr 21, 1904 | Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 154 | Draw | 65–25–46 (18) | George Moore | PTS | 6 | Apr 9, 1904 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 153 | NC | 65–25–45 (18) | Spike Robson | NC | 11 (20) | Mar 19, 1904 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | The referee declared a no contest as Robson was suffering from a liver complaint |
| 152 | Loss | 65–25–45 (17) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 15 | Mar 7, 1904 | Leeds and County Athletic Club, Leeds, Yorkshire, England | |
| 151 | Draw | 65–24–45 (17) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 20 | Feb 22, 1904 | Winter Gardens, Plymouth, Devon, England | |
| 150 | Loss | 65–24–44 (17) | Jim Driscoll | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, Avon, England | |
| 149 | Draw | 65–23–44 (17) | Johnny Summers | PTS | 6 | Feb 6, 1904 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 148 | Win | 65–23–43 (17) | Cockney Cohen | KO | 8 (20) | Jan 16, 1904 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Retained world 120lbs title claim |
| 147 | Draw | 64–23–43 (17) | Dai Morgan | PTS | 15 | Dec 19, 1903 | Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales | |
| 146 | Win | 64–23–42 (17) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 20 | Dec 7, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Retained world 120lbs title claim |
| 145 | Win | 63–23–42 (17) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 20 | Nov 9, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Claimed vacant world 120lbs title |
| 144 | Draw | 62–23–42 (17) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Oct 29, 1903 | Public Hall, Barking Road, Canning Town, London, England | |
| 143 | Loss | 62–23–41 (17) | Digger Stanley | PTS | 6 | Oct 12, 1903 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England | |
| 142 | Win | 62–22–41 (17) | Jim Williams | TKO | 4 (6) | Oct 10, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 141 | Draw | 61–22–41 (17) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Sep 29, 1903 | London, England | |
| 140 | NC | 61–22–40 (17) | Dave Wallace | ND | 6 | Sep 28, 1903 | Pretoria Gymnasium, Birmingham, West Midlands, England | No decision trial bout |
| 139 | Draw | 61–22–40 (16) | Billy Barrett | PTS | 20 | Sep 24, 1903 | Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, England | |
| 138 | Draw | 61–22–39 (16) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Sep 14, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 137 | Win | 61–22–38 (16) | Harry Ware | PTS | 6 | Aug 29, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 136 | Win | 60–22–38 (16) | Digger Stanley | PTS | 6 | Aug 1, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 135 | Loss | 59–22–38 (16) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 8 | Jun 27, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 134 | Draw | 59–21–38 (16) | 'Young' Harry Paul | PTS | 6 | Jun 15, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 133 | Loss | 59–21–37 (16) | Jim Driscoll | KO | 5 (?) | Jun 1, 1903 | Wales | Fight date, time and place not exact -- need source for this bout |
| 132 | Draw | 59–20–37 (16) | George Phalin | PTS | 15 | May 25, 1903 | Jem Mace's Gymnasium, Birmingham, West Midlands, England | |
| 131 | Loss | 59–20–36 (16) | Spike Robson | PTS | 20 | May 16, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 130 | Loss | 59–19–36 (16) | Ben Jordan | PTS | 6 | May 2, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 129 | Draw | 59–18–36 (16) | George Phalin | PTS | 15 | Apr 16, 1903 | Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 128 | Loss | 59–18–35 (16) | Spike Robson | PTS | 15 | Apr 11, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 127 | Win | 59–17–35 (16) | Jack Pearson | KO | 8 (?) | Apr 6, 1903 | Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 126 | Loss | 58–17–35 (16) | Fred Delaney | PTS | 6 | Feb 28, 1903 | Beresford Street Drill Hall, Woolwich, London, England | |
| 125 | Draw | 58–16–35 (16) | Dave Wallace | PTS | 6 | Feb 20, 1903 | Birmingham, West Midlands, England | Exact date unknown |
| 124 | Draw | 58–16–34 (16) | Harry Ware | PTS | 20 | Feb 9, 1903 | Corn Exchange, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England | Billed world 116lbs title claim |
| 123 | Loss | 58–16–33 (16) | Jim Driscoll | PTS | 8 | Jan 24, 1903 | Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales | |
| 122 | NC | 58–15–33 (16) | Jim Courtney | ND | 6 | Jan 19, 1903 | Theater Royale, Cadoxton-Barry, Wales | |
| 121 | Win | 58–15–33 (15) | Harry Smith | KO | 3 (6) | Nov 15, 1902 | Canterbury Theatre of Varieties, Lambeth, London, England | |
| 120 | Draw | 57–15–33 (15) | Will Curley | PTS | 15 | Sep 29, 1902 | Standard Theatre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 119 | Loss | 57–15–32 (15) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 15 | Sep 8, 1902 | New National Athletic Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 118 | Draw | 57–14–32 (15) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Jun 30, 1902 | Golden Gate A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 117 | Loss | 57–14–32 (14) | Biz Mackey | TKO | 5 (10) | Jun 10, 1902 | Business Men's A.C., Findlay, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 116 | Draw | 57–13–32 (14) | Eddie Lenny | NWS | 6 | Jun 6, 1902 | Armory Hall, Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 115 | Loss | 57–13–32 (13) | Danny Dougherty | NWS | 7 | May 27, 1902 | Globe A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 114 | Draw | 57–13–32 (12) | Billy Ryan | PTS | 15 | May 16, 1902 | Dey's Rink, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| 113 | Win | 57–13–31 (12) | Chick Tucker | PTS | 20 | Feb 13, 1902 | National A.C., New Britain, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 112 | Loss | 56–13–31 (12) | Eddie Lenny | TKO | 9 (20) | Jan 24, 1902 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 111 | Draw | 56–12–31 (12) | Joe Tipman | PTS | 20 | Jan 17, 1902 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 110 | Loss | 56–12–30 (12) | Austin Rice | PTS | 20 | Dec 19, 1901 | Opera House, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 109 | Loss | 56–11–30 (12) | Abe Attell | PTS | 15 | Oct 28, 1901 | West End A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 108 | Loss | 56–10–30 (12) | Benny Yanger | PTS | 15 | Sep 26, 1901 | Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 107 | Draw | 56–9–30 (12) | Abe Attell | PTS | 20 | Sep 12, 1901 | Grand Opera House, Cripple Creek, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 106 | Draw | 56–9–29 (12) | Abe Attell | PTS | 10 | Aug 23, 1901 | Coliseum Hall, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 105 | Loss | 56–9–28 (12) | Young Corbett II | PTS | 10 | Aug 16, 1901 | Coliseum Hall, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | For Western featherweight championship |
| 104 | Draw | 56–8–28 (12) | Harry Lyons | PTS | 20 | Feb 8, 1901 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 56–8–27 (12) | Tommy Sullivan | TKO | 7 (25) | Jul 31, 1901 | Seaside A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 102 | Loss | 56–7–27 (12) | Terry McGovern | PTS | 6 | Jun 23, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 101 | Draw | 56–6–27 (12) | Benny Yanger | PTS | 6 | Jun 12, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 100 | Loss | 56–6–26 (12) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Jun 4, 1900 | Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 56–6–26 (11) | Terry McGovern | TKO | 8 (25) | Jan 9, 1900 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title |
| 98 | Win | 56–5–26 (11) | Eddie Lenny | PTS | 25 | Nov 21, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 97 | Win | 55–5–26 (11) | Will Curley | PTS | 25 | Nov 2, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 96 | Win | 54–5–26 (11) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Oct 13, 1899 | Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Draw | 54–5–26 (10) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 20 | Aug 11, 1899 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 94 | Win | 54–5–25 (10) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 6 | Jul 14, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 53–5–25 (10) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Jul 11, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Denver, Colorado, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 92 | Win | 52–5–25 (10) | Sam Bolen | KO | 3 (25) | Jul 3, 1899 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 91 | Win | 51–5–25 (10) | Joe Bernstein | PTS | 25 | Jun 2, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 90 | Win | 50–5–25 (10) | Kid Broad | PTS | 20 | May 15, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 89 | Win | 49–5–25 (10) | Young Pluto | KO | 10 (25) | Jan 17, 1899 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 88 | Win | 48–5–25 (10) | Oscar Gardner | PTS | 25 | Nov 29, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 87 | Win | 47–5–25 (10) | Dave Sullivan | DQ | 10 (25) | Nov 11, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Won world featherweight title |
| 86 | Win | 46–5–25 (10) | Joe Bernstein | NWS | 6 | Sep 5, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 46–5–25 (9) | Jimmy Dunn | NWS | 6 | Aug 29, 1898 | Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 84 | Loss | 46–5–25 (8) | Ben Jordan | PTS | 25 | Jul 1, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York, New York, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 46–4–25 (8) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 20 | Jun 6, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York, New York, U.S. | |
| 82 | Draw | 45–4–25 (8) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Mar 31, 1898 | Empire A.C., Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 81 | Loss | 45–4–24 (8) | Solly Smith | PTS | 20 | Oct 4, 1897 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title |
| 80 | Draw | 45–3–24 (8) | Dal Hawkins | PTS | 20 | Jul 23, 1897 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 79 | Draw | 45–3–23 (8) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 6 | Jun 21, 1897 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 45–3–23 (7) | Johnny Griffin | PTS | 20 | Apr 26, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 44–3–23 (7) | Frank Erne | PTS | 25 | Mar 24, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won world featherweight title |
| 76 | Draw | 43–3–23 (7) | Jack Downey | PTS | 20 | Feb 15, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 43–3–22 (7) | Torpedo Billy Murphy | KO | 6 (20) | Jan 22, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Billed World 120 lbs Featherweight Title claim |
| 74 | Loss | 42–3–22 (7) | Frank Erne | PTS | 20 | Nov 27, 1896 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title; Dixon continued to claim the title despite this title loss |
| 73 | Draw | 42–2–22 (7) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Sep 25, 1896 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 72 | Draw | 42–2–21 (7) | Martin Flaherty | PTS | 20 | Jun 16, 1896 | West Newton Street Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 42–2–20 (7) | Charles Slusher | PTS | 4 (?) | May 9, 1896 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 41–2–20 (7) | Ellwood McCloskey | PTS | 4 (?) | May 7, 1896 | Globe Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 40–2–20 (7) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 4 | May 4, 1896 | Globe Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 40–2–20 (6) | Jerry Marshall | TKO | 7 (?) | Mar 17, 1896 | Prescott A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 67 | Draw | 39–2–20 (6) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 6 | Jan 30, 1896 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 66 | Draw | 39–2–19 (6) | Frank Erne | PTS | 10 | Dec 5, 1895 | New Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 65 | Draw | 39–2–18 (6) | Young Griffo | PTS | 10 | Oct 28, 1895 | Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 39–2–17 (6) | Johnny Griffin | PTS | 25 | Aug 27, 1895 | West Newton Street Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 63 | NC | 38–2–17 (6) | Mike Leonard | DC | 1 (?) | Aug 19, 1895 | Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S. | Inspector Cortright broke up the fight and arrested both men |
| 62 | Win | 38–2–17 (5) | Tommy Connolly | DQ | 4 (25) | Jul 31, 1895 | Banta Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Connelly DQ'd after his cornerman Howie Hodgkins tried to help him up after a knockdown |
| 61 | Win | 37–2–17 (5) | Charles Slusher | PTS | 4 (?) | May 8, 1895 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 36–2–17 (5) | Sam Bolen | PTS | 6 | Mar 7, 1895 | New York A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 59 | Draw | 35–2–17 (5) | Young Griffo | PTS | 25 | Jan 19, 1895 | Seaside A.C., Coney Island, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Draw | 35–2–16 (5) | Billy Whistler | PTS | 4 | Dec 26, 1894 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Exact date unknown |
| 57 | Win | 35–2–15 (5) | Joe Flynn | KO | 4 (4) | Oct 25, 1894 | Opera House, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 34–2–15 (5) | Jim Othello | KO | 2 (?) | Sep 20, 1894 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Draw | 33–2–15 (5) | Young Griffo | PTS | 20 | Jun 29, 1894 | Casino, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 33–2–14 (5) | Robert J Heeney | TKO | 2 (?) | Jan 4, 1894 | Opera House, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 32–2–14 (5) | Torpedo Billy Murphy | DQ | 3 (?) | Dec 15, 1893 | People's Theater, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | After attempting to break a clinch 3rd round, Murphy attacked the referee and began fighting him |
| 52 | Win | 31–2–14 (5) | Solly Smith | TKO | 7 (?) | Sep 25, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 51 | Loss | 30–2–14 (5) | Billy Plimmer | PTS | 4 | Aug 22, 1893 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 30–1–14 (5) | Eddie Pierce | TKO | 3 (?) | Aug 7, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 49 | Draw | 29–1–14 (5) | Jack Downey | PTS | 4 | Aug 1, 1893 | Miners Theater, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Exact date unknown |
| 48 | Win | 29–1–13 (5) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 4 | Jul 1, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 29–1–13 (4) | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Jun 30, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 46 | Draw | 28–1–13 (4) | Jerry Barnett | PTS | 4 (?) | Jun 17, 1893 | Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 28–1–12 (4) | Edward Rossman | TKO | 1 (?) | May 3, 1893 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 27–1–12 (4) | Billy Nalley | TKO | 1 (?) | May 2, 1893 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 43 | Draw | 26–1–12 (4) | George Siddons | PTS | 12 | Mar 20, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 26–1–11 (4) | Leo Dobbins | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 24, 1893 | Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 25–1–11 (4) | Whitey Chadwick | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 23, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 24–1–11 (4) | Al Wright | TKO | 1 (?) | Feb 22, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 23–1–11 (4) | Joe Reilly | PTS | ? (?) | Feb 21, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 22–1–11 (4) | Buck Leary | KO | 1 (4) | Feb 10, 1893 | Miner's Bowery Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 21–1–11 (4) | Dick Mills | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 7, 1893 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 20–1–11 (4) | Young Byrnes | PTS | 4 | Feb 6, 1893 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | NC | 19–1–11 (4) | Eddie Daly | ND | ? (4) | Feb 1, 1893 | Miners 8th St Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | NC | 19–1–11 (3) | George Strong | ND | 4 | Jan 31, 1893 | Miner's Bowery Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 19–1–11 (2) | Jim Keeley | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 29, 1892 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | NC | 18–1–11 (2) | Kentucky Rosebud | ND | 4 | Nov 18, 1892 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Draw | 18–1–11 (1) | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Nov 11, 1892 | Lyceum Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 18–1–10 (1) | William Bell | TKO | 2 (4) | Nov 4, 1892 | Howard Athenaeum, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 29 | Draw | 17–1–10 (1) | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Oct 29, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 17–1–9 (1) | Jack Skelly | KO | 8 (?) | Sep 6, 1892 | Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | Retained world bantamweight title |
| 27 | Win | 16–1–9 (1) | Fred Johnson | KO | 14 (?) | Jun 27, 1892 | Coney Island Casino, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant world featherweight title |
| 26 | Win | 15–1–9 (1) | Abe Willis | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 28, 1891 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S. | Retained world bantamweight title |
| 25 | Win | 14–1–9 (1) | Martin Flaherty | PTS | 6 | Apr 20, 1891 | Battery D Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 13–1–9 (1) | Cal McCarthy | TKO | 22 (?) | Mar 31, 1891 | Troy Bicycle Club, Troy, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title claim |
| 23 | Win | 12–1–9 (1) | Johnny Murphy | KO | 40 (?) | Oct 23, 1890 | Gladstone Club, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | Won world featherweight title claim |
| 22 | Win | 11–1–9 (1) | Nunc Wallace | RTD | 19 (30) | Jun 27, 1890 | New Pelican Club Gym, Soho, London, England | Won inaugural world bantamweight title |
| 21 | Draw | 10–1–9 (1) | Cal McCarthy | PTS | 70 (?) | Feb 7, 1890 | Union AC, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | For American featherweight title; Dixon claimed the world featherweight title |
| 20 | Win | 10–1–8 (1) | Eugene Hornbacher | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 27, 1889 | Hotel, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | Claimed American 115lbs title |
| 19 | Win | 9–1–8 (1) | Mike Sullivan | PTS | 6 | Dec 11, 1889 | New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. | Police intervened |
| 18 | Draw | 8–1–8 (1) | Hank Brennan | PTS | 26 | Oct 14, 1889 | Parnell A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 17 | Loss | 8–1–7 (1) | George Wright | DQ | 2 (6) | Jun 3, 1889 | Parnell A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Dixon struck Wright twice in the face after the bell and was DQ'd |
| 16 | Draw | 8–0–7 (1) | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1889 | Putnam, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 8–0–6 (1) | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 10 | Jan 29, 1889 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 14 | Draw | 7–0–6 (1) | Hank Brennan | PTS | 15 | Dec 28, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 13 | Draw | 7–0–5 (1) | Hank Brennan | PTS | 9 (7) | Dec 4, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 12 | Draw | 7–0–4 (1) | Hank Brennan | PTS | 14 (12) | Jun 21, 1888 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Bout scheduled for 12 rounds, but the referee called for two more |
| 11 | Win | 7–0–3 (1) | Jimmy Brackett | KO | 5 (6) | Jun 13, 1888 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 6–0–3 (1) | Bob Green | NWS | 6 | Jun 7, 1888 | Cribb Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 9 | Draw | 6–0–3 | Tommy Spider Kelly | PTS | 9 (7) | May 10, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Scheduled seven round spar allowed to run nine rounds because of interest |
| 8 | Draw | 6–0–2 | Tommy Doherty | PTS | 8 | Apr 27, 1888 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 7 | Draw | 6–0–1 | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 15 | Mar 21, 1888 | Tremont A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Ned Morris | TKO | 4 (7) | Mar 10, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Barney Finnegan | PTS | 7 | Feb 17, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Charlie Parton | TKO | 6 (10) | Jan 20, 1888 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Johnny Lyman | TKO | 5 (6) | Jan 1, 1888 | Larley A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Elias Hamilton | PTS | 8 | Sep 21, 1887 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Young Johnson | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 1, 1886 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |

### Unofficial record

| 176 fights | 75 wins | 32 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 36 | 6 |
| By decision | 36 | 25 |
| By disqualification | 3 | 1 |
| Draws | 61 | 61 |
| No contests | 8 | 8 |

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.

| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 176 | Loss | 76–32–61 (8) | Monk The Newsboy | PTS | 15 | Dec 10, 1906 | Standard A.C., Lymansville, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 175 | Draw | 76–31–61 (8) | Billy Ryan | PTS | 12 | May 21, 1906 | Gloucester A.C., Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 174 | Draw | 76–31–60 (8) | Patsy Haley | NWS | 3 | Jan 16, 1906 | Cayler A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 173 | Win | 75–31–59 (8) | Harry Shea | KO | 3 (?) | Jan 4, 1906 | Roman A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 172 | Win | 74–31–59 (8) | Frank Howe | NWS | 3 | Dec 28, 1905 | Long Acre A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 171 | Loss | 73–31–59 (8) | Harlem Tommy Murphy | KO | 2 (6) | Sep 20, 1905 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 170 | Draw | 73–30–59 (8) | Joe Goodwin | PTS | 10 | Jun 26, 1905 | Labour Hall, Manchester, Lancashire, England | |
| 169 | Win | 73–30–58 (8) | Alf Wood | PTS | 8 | Jun 8, 1905 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 168 | Draw | 72–30–58 (8) | Dick Nelson | PTS | 10 | May 28, 1905 | Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 167 | Draw | 72–30–57 (8) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Apr 17, 1905 | Corn Exchange, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England | |
| 166 | Draw | 72–30–56 (8) | Darkey Haley | PTS | 6 | Apr 15, 1905 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 165 | Draw | 72–30–55 (8) | Jack Foy | PTS | 15 | Apr 6, 1905 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 164 | NC | 72–30–54 (8) | Jim Keith | ND | 3 | Apr 1, 1905 | Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Scotland | No decision trial bout |
| 163 | Draw | 72–30–54 (7) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 20 | Mar 6, 1905 | Norfolk Drill Hall, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England | Billed English 8st 8lbs title |
| 162 | Win | 72–30–53 (7) | Stoker Stoodley | TKO | 5 (20) | Feb 25, 1905 | Volunteer Engineers Drill Hall, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England | |
| 161 | Draw | 71–30–53 (7) | Darkey Haley | PTS | 6 | Feb 18, 1905 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 160 | Loss | 71–30–52 (7) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Jan 30, 1905 | Drill Hall, Guildford, Surrey, England | |
| 159 | Draw | 71–29–52 (7) | Johnny Hughes | PTS | 8 | Jan 6, 1905 | Corn Exchange, Ashford, Kent, England | |
| 158 | Draw | 71–29–51 (7) | Bob White | PTS | 6 | Dec 23, 1904 | Philharmonic Hall, Southampton, Hampshire, England | |
| 157 | Draw | 71–29–50 (7) | Boss Edwards | PTS | 15 | Nov 24, 1904 | Cosmopolitan Sporting Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 156 | Loss | 71–29–49 (7) | Owen Moran | PTS | 6 | Oct 17, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England | |
| 155 | Loss | 71–28–49 (7) | Tommy Burns | PTS | 20 | Apr 21, 1904 | Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 154 | Draw | 71–27–49 (7) | George Moore | PTS | 6 | Apr 9, 1904 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 153 | NC | 71–27–48 (7) | Spike Robson | NC | 11 (20) | Mar 19, 1904 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | The referee declared a no contest as Robson was suffering from a liver complaint |
| 152 | Loss | 71–27–48 (6) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 15 | Mar 7, 1904 | Leeds and County Athletic Club, Leeds, Yorkshire, England | |
| 151 | Draw | 71–26–48 (6) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 20 | Feb 22, 1904 | Winter Gardens, Plymouth, Devon, England | |
| 150 | Loss | 71–26–47 (6) | Jim Driscoll | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, Avon, England | |
| 149 | Draw | 71–25–47 (6) | Johnny Summers | PTS | 6 | Feb 6, 1904 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 148 | Win | 71–25–46 (6) | Cockney Cohen | KO | 8 (20) | Jan 16, 1904 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Retained world 120lbs title claim |
| 147 | Draw | 70–25–46 (6) | Dai Morgan | PTS | 15 | Dec 19, 1903 | Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales | |
| 146 | Win | 70–25–45 (6) | Cockney Cohen | PTS | 20 | Dec 7, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Retained world 120lbs title claim |
| 145 | Win | 69–25–45 (6) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 20 | Nov 9, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | Claimed vacant world 120lbs title |
| 144 | Draw | 68–25–45 (6) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Oct 29, 1903 | Public Hall, Barking Road, Canning Town, London, England | |
| 143 | Loss | 68–25–44 (6) | Digger Stanley | PTS | 6 | Oct 12, 1903 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England | |
| 142 | Win | 68–24–44 (6) | Jim Williams | TKO | 4 (6) | Oct 10, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 141 | Draw | 67–24–44 (6) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Sep 29, 1903 | London, England | |
| 140 | NC | 67–24–43 (6) | Dave Wallace | ND | 6 | Sep 28, 1903 | Pretoria Gymnasium, Birmingham, West Midlands, England | No decision trial bout |
| 139 | Draw | 67–24–43 (5) | Billy Barrett | PTS | 20 | Sep 24, 1903 | Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, England | |
| 138 | Draw | 67–24–42 (5) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 6 | Sep 14, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 137 | Win | 67–24–41 (5) | Harry Ware | PTS | 6 | Aug 29, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 136 | Win | 66–24–41 (5) | Digger Stanley | PTS | 6 | Aug 1, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 135 | Loss | 65–24–41 (5) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 8 | Jun 27, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 134 | Draw | 65–23–41 (5) | 'Young' Harry Paul | PTS | 6 | Jun 15, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 133 | Loss | 65–23–40 (5) | Jim Driscoll | KO | 5 (?) | Jun 1, 1903 | Wales | Fight date, time and place not exact -- need source for this bout |
| 132 | Draw | 65–22–40 (5) | George Phalin | PTS | 15 | May 25, 1903 | Jem Mace's Gymnasium, Birmingham, West Midlands, England | |
| 131 | Loss | 65–22–39 (5) | Spike Robson | PTS | 20 | May 16, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 130 | Loss | 65–21–39 (5) | Ben Jordan | PTS | 6 | May 2, 1903 | Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England | |
| 129 | Draw | 65–20–39 (5) | George Phalin | PTS | 15 | Apr 16, 1903 | Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 128 | Loss | 65–20–38 (5) | Spike Robson | PTS | 15 | Apr 11, 1903 | Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 127 | Win | 65–19–38 (5) | Jack Pearson | KO | 8 (?) | Apr 6, 1903 | Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| 126 | Loss | 64–19–38 (5) | Fred Delaney | PTS | 6 | Feb 28, 1903 | Beresford Street Drill Hall, Woolwich, London, England | |
| 125 | Draw | 64–18–38 (5) | Dave Wallace | PTS | 6 | Feb 20, 1903 | Birmingham, West Midlands, England | Exact date unknown |
| 124 | Draw | 64–18–37 (5) | Harry Ware | PTS | 20 | Feb 9, 1903 | Corn Exchange, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England | Billed world 116lbs title claim |
| 123 | Loss | 64–18–36 (5) | Jim Driscoll | PTS | 8 | Jan 24, 1903 | Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales | |
| 122 | NC | 64–17–36 (5) | Jim Courtney | ND | 6 | Jan 19, 1903 | Theater Royale, Cadoxton-Barry, Wales | |
| 121 | Win | 64–17–36 (4) | Harry Smith | KO | 3 (6) | Nov 15, 1902 | Canterbury Theatre of Varieties, Lambeth, London, England | |
| 120 | Draw | 63–17–36 (4) | Will Curley | PTS | 15 | Sep 29, 1902 | Standard Theatre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| 119 | Loss | 63–17–35 (4) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 15 | Sep 8, 1902 | New National Athletic Club, Marylebone, London, England | |
| 118 | Draw | 63–16–35 (4) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Jun 30, 1902 | Golden Gate A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 117 | Loss | 63–16–34 (4) | Biz Mackey | TKO | 5 (10) | Jun 10, 1902 | Business Men's A.C., Findlay, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 116 | Draw | 63–15–34 (4) | Eddie Lenny | NWS | 6 | Jun 6, 1902 | Armory Hall, Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 115 | Loss | 63–15–33 (4) | Danny Dougherty | NWS | 7 | May 27, 1902 | Globe A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 114 | Draw | 63–14–33 (4) | Billy Ryan | PTS | 15 | May 16, 1902 | Dey's Rink, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| 113 | Win | 63–14–32 (4) | Chick Tucker | PTS | 20 | Feb 13, 1902 | National A.C., New Britain, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 112 | Loss | 62–14–32 (4) | Eddie Lenny | TKO | 9 (20) | Jan 24, 1902 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 111 | Draw | 62–13–32 (4) | Joe Tipman | PTS | 20 | Jan 17, 1902 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 110 | Loss | 62–13–31 (4) | Austin Rice | PTS | 20 | Dec 19, 1901 | Opera House, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 109 | Loss | 62–12–31 (4) | Abe Attell | PTS | 15 | Oct 28, 1901 | West End A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 108 | Loss | 62–11–31 (4) | Benny Yanger | PTS | 15 | Sep 26, 1901 | Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 107 | Draw | 62–10–31 (4) | Abe Attell | PTS | 20 | Sep 12, 1901 | Grand Opera House, Cripple Creek, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 106 | Draw | 62–10–30 (4) | Abe Attell | PTS | 10 | Aug 23, 1901 | Coliseum Hall, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 105 | Loss | 62–10–29 (4) | Young Corbett II | PTS | 10 | Aug 16, 1901 | Coliseum Hall, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | For Western featherweight championship |
| 104 | Draw | 62–9–29 (4) | Harry Lyons | PTS | 20 | Feb 8, 1901 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 62–9–28 (4) | Tommy Sullivan | TKO | 7 (25) | Jul 31, 1901 | Seaside A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 102 | Loss | 62–8–28 (4) | Terry McGovern | PTS | 6 | Jun 23, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 101 | Draw | 62–7–28 (4) | Benny Yanger | PTS | 6 | Jun 12, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 100 | Loss | 62–7–27 (4) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Jun 4, 1900 | Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 62–6–27 (4) | Terry McGovern | TKO | 8 (25) | Jan 9, 1900 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title |
| 98 | Win | 62–5–27 (4) | Eddie Lenny | PTS | 25 | Nov 21, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 97 | Win | 61–5–27 (4) | Will Curley | PTS | 25 | Nov 2, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 96 | Win | 60–5–27 (4) | Tim Callahan | NWS | 6 | Oct 13, 1899 | Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Draw | 59–5–27 (4) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 20 | Aug 11, 1899 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 94 | Win | 59–5–26 (4) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 6 | Jul 14, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 58–5–26 (4) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Jul 11, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Denver, Colorado, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 92 | Win | 57–5–26 (4) | Sam Bolen | KO | 3 (25) | Jul 3, 1899 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 91 | Win | 56–5–26 (4) | Joe Bernstein | PTS | 25 | Jun 2, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 90 | Win | 55–5–26 (4) | Kid Broad | PTS | 20 | May 15, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 89 | Win | 54–5–26 (4) | Young Pluto | KO | 10 (25) | Jan 17, 1899 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 88 | Win | 53–5–26 (4) | Oscar Gardner | PTS | 25 | Nov 29, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 87 | Win | 52–5–26 (4) | Dave Sullivan | DQ | 10 (25) | Nov 11, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Won world featherweight title |
| 86 | Win | 51–5–26 (4) | Joe Bernstein | NWS | 6 | Sep 5, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 50–5–26 (4) | Jimmy Dunn | NWS | 6 | Aug 29, 1898 | Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 84 | Loss | 49–5–26 (4) | Ben Jordan | PTS | 25 | Jul 1, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York, New York, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 49–4–26 (4) | Eddie Santry | PTS | 20 | Jun 6, 1898 | Lenox A.C., New York, New York, U.S. | |
| 82 | Draw | 48–4–26 (4) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Mar 31, 1898 | Empire A.C., Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 81 | Loss | 48–4–25 (4) | Solly Smith | PTS | 20 | Oct 4, 1897 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title |
| 80 | Draw | 48–3–25 (4) | Dal Hawkins | PTS | 20 | Jul 23, 1897 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 79 | Draw | 48–3–24 (4) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 6 | Jun 21, 1897 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 48–3–23 (4) | Johnny Griffin | PTS | 20 | Apr 26, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 47–3–23 (4) | Frank Erne | PTS | 25 | Mar 24, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won world featherweight title |
| 76 | Draw | 46–3–23 (4) | Jack Downey | PTS | 20 | Feb 15, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 46–3–22 (4) | Torpedo Billy Murphy | KO | 6 (20) | Jan 22, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Billed World 120lbs featherweight title claim |
| 74 | Loss | 45–3–22 (4) | Frank Erne | PTS | 20 | Nov 27, 1896 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost world featherweight title; Dixon continued to claim the title despite this title loss |
| 73 | Draw | 45–2–22 (4) | Tommy White | PTS | 20 | Sep 25, 1896 | Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 72 | Draw | 45–2–21 (4) | Martin Flaherty | PTS | 20 | Jun 16, 1896 | West Newton Street Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 45–2–20 (4) | Charles Slusher | PTS | 4 (?) | May 9, 1896 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 44–2–20 (4) | Ellwood McCloskey | PTS | 4 (?) | May 7, 1896 | Globe Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 43–2–20 (4) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 4 | May 4, 1896 | Globe Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 42–2–20 (4) | Jerry Marshall | TKO | 7 (?) | Mar 17, 1896 | Prescott A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 67 | Draw | 41–2–20 (4) | Pedlar Palmer | PTS | 6 | Jan 30, 1896 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 66 | Draw | 41–2–19 (4) | Frank Erne | PTS | 10 | Dec 5, 1895 | New Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 65 | Draw | 41–2–18 (4) | Young Griffo | PTS | 10 | Oct 28, 1895 | Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 41–2–17 (4) | Johnny Griffin | PTS | 25 | Aug 27, 1895 | West Newton Street Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 63 | NC | 40–2–17 (4) | Mike Leonard | DC | 1 (?) | Aug 19, 1895 | Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S. | Inspector Cortright broke up the fight and arrested both men |
| 62 | Win | 40–2–17 (3) | Tommy Connolly | DQ | 4 (25) | Jul 31, 1895 | Banta Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Connelly DQ'd after his cornerman Howie Hodgkins tried to help him up after a knockdown |
| 61 | Win | 39–2–17 (3) | Charles Slusher | PTS | 4 (?) | May 8, 1895 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 38–2–17 (3) | Sam Bolen | PTS | 6 | Mar 7, 1895 | New York A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 59 | Draw | 37–2–17 (3) | Young Griffo | PTS | 25 | Jan 19, 1895 | Seaside A.C., Coney Island, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Draw | 37–2–16 (3) | Billy Whistler | PTS | 4 | Dec 26, 1894 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Exact date unknown |
| 57 | Win | 37–2–15 (3) | Joe Flynn | KO | 4 (4) | Oct 25, 1894 | Opera House, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 36–2–15 (3) | Jim Othello | KO | 2 (?) | Sep 20, 1894 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Draw | 35–2–15 (3) | Young Griffo | PTS | 20 | Jun 29, 1894 | Casino, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 35–2–14 (3) | Robert J Heeney | TKO | 2 (?) | Jan 4, 1894 | Opera House, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 34–2–14 (3) | Torpedo Billy Murphy | DQ | 3 (?) | Dec 15, 1893 | People's Theater, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | After attempting to break a clinch 3rd round, Murphy attacked the referee and began fighting him |
| 52 | Win | 33–2–14 (3) | Solly Smith | TKO | 7 (?) | Sep 25, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 51 | Loss | 32–2–14 (3) | Billy Plimmer | PTS | 4 | Aug 22, 1893 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 32–1–14 (3) | Eddie Pierce | TKO | 3 (?) | Aug 7, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title |
| 49 | Draw | 31–1–14 (3) | Jack Downey | PTS | 4 | Aug 1, 1893 | Miners Theater, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Exact date unknown |
| 48 | Win | 31–1–13 (3) | Kentucky Rosebud | NWS | 4 | Jul 1, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 30–1–13 (3) | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Jun 30, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 46 | Draw | 29–1–13 (3) | Jerry Barnett | PTS | 4 (?) | Jun 17, 1893 | Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 29–1–12 (3) | Edward Rossman | TKO | 1 (?) | May 3, 1893 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 28–1–12 (3) | Billy Nalley | TKO | 1 (?) | May 2, 1893 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 43 | Draw | 27–1–12 (3) | George Siddons | PTS | 12 | Mar 20, 1893 | Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 27–1–11 (3) | Leo Dobbins | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 24, 1893 | Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 26–1–11 (3) | Whitey Chadwick | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 23, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 25–1–11 (3) | Al Wright | TKO | 1 (?) | Feb 22, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 24–1–11 (3) | Joe Reilly | PTS | ? (?) | Feb 21, 1893 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 23–1–11 (3) | Buck Leary | KO | 1 (4) | Feb 10, 1893 | Miner's Bowery Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 22–1–11 (3) | Dick Mills | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 7, 1893 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 21–1–11 (3) | Young Byrnes | PTS | 4 | Feb 6, 1893 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | NC | 20–1–11 (3) | Eddie Daly | ND | ? (4) | Feb 1, 1893 | Miners 8th St Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | NC | 20–1–11 (2) | George Strong | ND | 4 | Jan 31, 1893 | Miner's Bowery Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 20–1–11 (1) | Jim Keeley | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 29, 1892 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | NC | 19–1–11 (1) | Kentucky Rosebud | ND | 4 | Nov 18, 1892 | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Draw | 19–1–11 | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Nov 11, 1892 | Lyceum Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 19–1–10 | William Bell | TKO | 2 (4) | Nov 4, 1892 | Howard Athenaeum, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 29 | Draw | 18–1–10 | Kentucky Rosebud | PTS | 4 | Oct 29, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 18–1–9 | Jack Skelly | KO | 8 (?) | Sep 6, 1892 | Olympic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | Retained world bantamweight title |
| 27 | Win | 17–1–9 | Fred Johnson | KO | 14 (?) | Jun 27, 1892 | Coney Island Casino, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant world featherweight title |
| 26 | Win | 16–1–9 | Abe Willis | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 28, 1891 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S. | Retained world bantamweight title |
| 25 | Win | 15–1–9 | Martin Flaherty | PTS | 6 | Apr 20, 1891 | Battery D Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 14–1–9 | Cal McCarthy | TKO | 22 (?) | Mar 31, 1891 | Troy Bicycle Club, Troy, New York, U.S. | Retained world featherweight title claim |
| 23 | Win | 13–1–9 | Johnny Murphy | KO | 40 (?) | Oct 23, 1890 | Gladstone Club, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | Won world featherweight title claim |
| 22 | Win | 12–1–9 | Nunc Wallace | RTD | 19 (30) | Jun 27, 1890 | New Pelican Club Gym, Soho, London, England | Won inaugural world bantamweight title |
| 21 | Draw | 11–1–9 | Cal McCarthy | PTS | 70 (?) | Feb 7, 1890 | Union AC, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | For American featherweight title; Dixon claimed the world featherweight title |
| 20 | Win | 11–1–8 | Eugene Hornbacher | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 27, 1889 | Hotel, New London, Connecticut, U.S. | Claimed American 115lbs title |
| 19 | Win | 10–1–8 | Mike Sullivan | PTS | 6 | Dec 11, 1889 | New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. | Police intervened |
| 18 | Draw | 9–1–8 | Hank Brennan | PTS | 26 | Oct 14, 1889 | Parnell A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 17 | Loss | 9–1–7 | George Wright | DQ | 2 (6) | Jun 3, 1889 | Parnell A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Dixon struck Wright twice in the face after the bell and was DQ'd |
| 16 | Draw | 9–0–7 | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1889 | Putnam, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 9–0–6 | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 10 | Jan 29, 1889 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 14 | Draw | 8–0–6 | Hank Brennan | PTS | 15 | Dec 28, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 13 | Draw | 8–0–5 | Hank Brennan | PTS | 9 (7) | Dec 4, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 12 | Draw | 8–0–4 | Hank Brennan | PTS | 14 (12) | Jun 21, 1888 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Bout scheduled for 12 rounds, but the referee called for two more |
| 11 | Win | 8–0–3 | Jimmy Brackett | KO | 5 (6) | Jun 13, 1888 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 7–0–3 | Bob Green | NWS | 6 | Jun 7, 1888 | Cribb Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 9 | Draw | 6–0–3 | Tommy Spider Kelly | PTS | 9 (7) | May 10, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Scheduled seven round spar allowed to run nine rounds because of interest |
| 8 | Draw | 6–0–2 | Tommy Doherty | PTS | 8 | Apr 27, 1888 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 7 | Draw | 6–0–1 | Patsy Kelley | PTS | 15 | Mar 21, 1888 | Tremont A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Ned Morris | TKO | 4 (7) | Mar 10, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Barney Finnegan | PTS | 7 | Feb 17, 1888 | Athenian Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Charlie Parton | TKO | 6 (10) | Jan 20, 1888 | Pelican Club, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Johnny Lyman | TKO | 5 (6) | Jan 1, 1888 | Larley A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Elias Hamilton | PTS | 8 | Sep 21, 1887 | Way Street Gymnasium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Young Johnson | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 1, 1886 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
