Mason Dixon

Mason "The Line" Dixon
Mason "The Line" Dixon
Rocky character
First appearance	Rocky Balboa
Last appearance	Rocky Balboa
Portrayed by	Antonio Tarver
In-universe information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Professional boxer

Mason "The Line" Dixon played by real-life boxer Antonio Tarver, is the primary opponent of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa in the 2006 motion picture Rocky Balboa. His nickname references the historic Mason-Dixon line. Mason Dixon was modeled after Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver's real life nemesis.

Movie

At the beginning of the movie, Mason "The Line" Dixon (29 years old) is at the height of his career at 33-0-0 with 30 KOs. A Tampa, Florida, native who resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mason is currently the world heavyweight champion. He apparently once had a competitive career which initially gained him fame and the title; however, over the years, with the waning heavyweight division and boxing in general, he fails to capture the fans of the sport without worthwhile contenders.

This is most evident in his latest title defense, where after a quick knockout win over a nameless opponent (played by Yahya), the spectators pelt him with ice.

Dixon lives a lavish lifestyle; even his training facilities are high-tech, a stark contrast to his old gym. Well aware of his status in the eyes of boxing fans, he even steals away from company, retreating to his fleet of cars to watch video of his latest match, the comments from Jim Lampley of his status in the boxing community irritating him. He retreats to his old gym once more, and confides in his former trainer, Martin (played by Henry G. Sanders) who mentions that soon enough, he will be tested by a formidable opponent, and history will be written in that moment.

ESPN airs "Then and Now", a segment pitting the best athletes of the past against the best of the present, and Dixon was matched up against Rocky Balboa, the former two-time heavyweight champion. After a computer-generated simulation ended in a 13th round knockout victory of Balboa over Dixon, Dixon's promoters heavily detract the simulation, going as far as to insult Balboa for owning a small Philadelphia restaurant.

Though he did want more money and respect, Dixon initially refused to fight Balboa, arguing with his managers that he would easily defeat Rocky. Insulted at the notion that Balboa would be a challenge to him, Dixon dismisses his promoters and gets back with his trainer Martin, in Las Vegas after having changed his mind and accepting the bout.

It is a 10-round exhibition match at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and Dixon stated that the only worries that the press and boxing community in general had to have were about Balboa's health would be how hard he fought in the ring. Mason became enraged at the press conference, stating that he was fighting Balboa for the fans; finding a decent contender, despite his age, to appease people who would otherwise abandon the sport because of the decline in personalities.

Dixon knowing that he is much quicker and powerful at this stage of life and does not want to hurt him and even in a private conversation with Balboa, says he will not hurt him during the fight. Dixon however warns Balboa that if he hurts him or cheap shots him during the fight, he will quickly knock out Balboa and end the fight.

The match begins with Dixon dominating Balboa and knocks him down twice in the second round, however, Dixon injures his hand while punching Balboa and the fight proves to be a great challenge from that point on. Balboa loses the fight by decision, but he wins in the fact that he was able to get into the ring one last time as he so desired and has a respectful showing, which is truly what he was fighting for. Dixon also gains respect from the boxing world, having finally been tested against an opponent who provided a great challenge while he was hurt and showed that he has the heart and pride of a champion while being tested in difficult circumstances.

After the first round Dixon's coach warns him in the corner as "Give the man respect." to which he responds with "What about my respect?". This shows similarity with the real life conversation between Dixon's personifier Antonio Tarver and his trainer Buddy McGirt during Tarver's likely best-known match, his second bout against Roy Jones Jr. in 2004. During this match, also after the first round, McGirt was overheard in the corner saying "Don't give him too much respect." and Tarver angrily responding with "Stop using the word respect to me. I ain't (expletive) respect him."'. Tarver then went on to knock out Jones in the second round.

Preceded by Tommy Gunn	Rocky Balboa's Main Opponent	Succeeded by None