The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-28
o'BRIEN-RYAN BOUT.
Philadelphia Jack Stayed the Limit
Last Night.

Philadelphia, Jan. 28.-Jack O'Brien
and Tommy Ryan fought one of the
fastest six-round bouts ever seen in
this city last night. and the Philadel-
phiaH had a slight advantage. O'Brlen
clearly oLtfought Ryan in the first
four rounds and in the fifth dropped
him with hard blow to the jaw. Ryan
took the count of eight and came up
groggy. He saved himself by clinching
until re hed regained his bearings A
moment later Ryan drove vicious left
tc C'Eriels stomach which sent the
PhilaGelDhiau to his knees. Ryan
seemed to regain his wind as the round
progressed end landed repeatedly on
OBrien's ste ach with vicious lefts
It was only the gong that saved
O'Brien from being knocked out.
In the sixth round honOrS were about
even, both men having received severe
punishment. When the gong soun~ed
ending the fight both men were in very
bad shape. Near the close of the fifth
round, while O'Brien was on the floor
one of his seconds threw a sponge full
of water on him. Many persons were
Of the opinion that this ended the fight.
but the referee said no.
understanding that the authorities
permit only six-round bouts in this city
the fight between Ryan and O'Brien
created more interest in pugiistic
circles than any similar event held here
for several years. For three years the
two fighters have been endeaVOring to
arrange a battle, in order to decide who
was entitled to the middleweight
championship, but some unforeseen
hitch usually terminated the negotia-
tions until the present match was
arranged in Chicago three weeks ago.
The men agreed to meet here in a
six-round bout for a $1,000 purse, split
equally, and under the laws governing
boxing in Philadelphia no decision can
be given. Under these conditions, how
ever. each man was as careful and
conscientious with his training as if he
was going twenty rounds to decision
for the championship.
O'Brien established training quarters
at Tumbling Run park, near Pottsville,
Pa, and remained in that mountainous
region until Yesterday afternoon, when
he came here and went at once to the
home of his parents, where he remained
until shortly after o'clock, when he
left for the ringside
Ryan, accompanied by Hugo Kelly,
reached this city yesterday afternoon
and after registering at a hotel went to
a local gymnasium and put in half an
hour punching the bag. He then rested
until the hour of the fight
The National Athletic club was taxed
to its limit long before the hour set for
the main event to take place
O'Brien and Ryan were weighed in at
6 o'clock. The beam was placed at 1873
pounds, but neither man budged it.
O'Brien came into the ring at 10:17, ac-
companied by his seconds. He was
given d lIGll6uQOuS ONdlACh
Ryan came into the ring at 1921 He
also was given a great reception. Both
men were in the pink of condition.
In O'Brien's corner were kid" Nc
Coy, Joe Hagen and Billy McLarney.
while Hugo Kelly, Spike Sullivan,
Frank Barthey and S. Ferretti attended
TO Ryan Lew Durlacher was the time
keeper. 1t was 1925 when Referee
Crowhurst called the men to the center
Of the ring for instructions. A moment
later the gong sounded and the battle
was on.
Round 1-O'Brien led for face and
nose, Ryan backing away. O'Brien land
ed a light right over the heart. OBrien
landed light left on Ryan's head and
repeated it again a moment later. The
men then rushed to a clinch. O'Brien
landed a. hard uppercut on Ryan's chin
and landed a left hook on the jaw not
moment later. He then drove another
left to Ryan's face without an exchange.