Shadowboxing: The Rise and Fall of George Dixon

by Steven Laffoley

George Dixon was the finest boxer of his generation and arguably among the finest boxers ever. His accomplishments in the ring were extraordinary: the first black boxing champion, the first Canadian boxing champion, the first boxing champion of multiple weight classes, and the first boxing champion to lose regain his title. He defended his title more than any other champion - then or since - and he reportedly fought in an unprecedented 800 bouts. Making these achievements more astonishing was the context within which these achievements were earned: George Dixon publically fought and beat hundreds of white boxers in an age when black men were routinely lynched for simply being black. Boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer once said of Dixon, "For his ounces and inches, there never was a lad his equal. Even in the light of the achievements of John L. Sullivan [the first heavyweight champion in boxing], the critics of his days referred to 'Little Chocolate' [George Dixon] as the greatest fighter of all time. I doubt there ever was a pugilist who was as popular during his entire career." Simply put, said Fleischer, "He had everything."

206 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2012

About the author

Steven Laffoley is an award-winning, Halifax, Nova Scotia-based author.

He the author of numerous books of fiction and creative nonfiction:

What's the Point?
Dulse to Donairs
Shadowboxing (second edition)
Unfiltered
Mean Streets
Halifax Nocturne
A Halifax Christmas Carol
The Halifax Poor House Fire
The Blue Tattoo
Pulling No Punches
Shadowboxing
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Death Ship of Halifax Harbour
Hunting Halifax
Mr. Bush, Angus and Me

His bestselling books have been shortlisted for Evelyn Richardson Nonfiction Award (twice), the Atlantic Independent Booksellers' Choice Award, and the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Nonfiction. His book Shadowboxing won the 2013 Evelyn Richardson Award for Nonfiction.

You can write him at stevenlaffoley@yahoo.ca