The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-29
Tommy Ryan Offers to Make
MunrOe Champion.
Says He Can Train Him Out to
Defeat Jeffries.
SO WIRES BUTTE MINER
MiddIeweight Anxious to Make
Him Pugilistic Star.
Gives Views on the Recent Bout
and Jeffries' Skill.

Chicago, Dec. 29.-Tommy Ryan, mid
dleweight pugilistic champion, author
tzed a telegram to Jack Munroe which
contained an offer for Ryan to take the
provided the big fellow had it in him.
The telegram was sent to Butte. Mont,
Lunroe's home town. today.
Il hardly know what to think of that
fight between Jeffries and Munroe," said
Ryan. AT first / thought it was an
advertising scheme and that he would
he put up against Fitz and jeff had
fought four rounds against him and
that Fitz would put him out in hurry.
AS they didn't do that I hardly know
have been out of condition or else it
was arranged that he should let Mum
roe stay the limit.
IF I can get Munroe to let me teach
him science. how to feint and crouch
and wait, making jeff do the leading, 1
believe I'll have the man that can beat
the champion Jeff is SO big and strong
that there isn't any one that can beat
him on the principles that Fitzsimmons
went at him Fftz is a rusher always.
He can't help 1t. He forces the fight
all the time. I taught Jeffries to wait
and make his opponent do the leading
and it was in this way he beat Fitz.
If any one ever defeats him it will be
by making Jeff do the leading, for then
he is easy to get at. But it will have
20 be a big man at that"
To Tommy Ryan must be given the
credit for the making of the present
worlds champion, and he believes he
can make another out of Munroe if Civ
en- the opportunity. Shortly after the
Corbett- Fitzsimmons battle at Carson
City Ryan went to California to meet
Mysterious Billy Smith. During his
training at Oakland he boxed with JEFF
fries, who had been Corbett's sparring
partner and who was used by Corbett
as a punching bag.
IL
points Of the game" says Ryan. Al
though 50 much larger than I was I could
Read whenever wanted. He fought a
draw with Bob Armstrong but wasn't re-
earded very highly by the critics. Then
to come and train him. L taught him how
to crouch and keep away from F1tz and
make him do all the leading. for / knew
F0itz's style well, having Travelled with
him good deal and SPARED with him. In
the short time jeff had to train for the
Fitzsimmons fight I made enough differ
ence in his ability for him to go in and
win the championship, and JefI gave ma
the credit for having taught him that
crouching position.
Regarding the stories of my going 20
New York and leaving the ring. l want to
say they are al wrong am ready to
fight anyone at the midCleWeight limit
and expect TO make Chicago my horne
Tor some time to come I'd like to live in
New York. but don't expect TO Tor a long
Il don't see where some people in the
cast get this niddleKelght limit at 1856 =
added Ryan. THE old limit was 154. When
Fitzsimmons fought Dempsey, the real
middieweight champion. Dempsey weighed
14719 and Fitz went into the ring at 1907 ;.
That was well inside the old limit IF
course. Then when Fitzsrnmons was mid
dleweight champion he extended it to let
Creedon in at 15S- They get the 1853 tor y
limit from the old California amateur box
ing rules, which placed the limit there I
don't see where 756 comes. 1 am supposed
70 hold the middleweight championship
and ] don't know what the weight i.
] don't see how one man can change it
don't want to, but would like to have Il
changed according to precedent"