The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-28
BATTLE BETWEEN TWO
MASTERS OF BOXING

The battle was one OF the fastest
cleverest six-round bouts ever seen any
where. Tommy Ryan had the better OF
OF philadelphia" Jack O'Brien. II was
a duel between two admitted masters
of the boxers art and the verdict. were
verdicts permissible in Philadelphia,
would have gone to the boxer who knew
most about the serious side of the fight
ing game.
Though the bout went the limit, six
rounds, nearly all the action was con-
centrated in the fifth Up to this round
O'Brien was doing all the spectacular
work. and when after. or. rather. dur
ing a mix in the fifth. he caught Ryan
with short right handed upper cut, II
looked as though he was going TO win
handily and bis heelers fairly raised the
roof with their applause.
Ryan Is Down
Ryan went TO the mat and took all
that was coming to him IN the matter
of time. The punch which dropped
him did not have enough steam behind
IL 10 seriously embarass him, for after
watching the referee clock off the sec
onds. he regained his feet. apparently
none the worse for the episode. AS
matter Of fact, he showed more of the
fighting spirit then than ne had at any
time in the preceding rounds. He sail
ed right into O'Brien, who. despite all
his cleverness afoot, could not keep
him from boring In.
Ryan landed both right and left on
O'Briens body. some OF the punches
landing IN the neighborhood of the So
lar plexus. some going around the side.
These punches were delivered with all
the weight of Ryan's body behind them
Their effect was almost Immediately no
ticeable. O'Brien began to cover and
went 10 clinch whenever opportunity
offered.
1t was with some difficulty that Ref
cree Crowhurst separated the men.
O'Brien always doing the hanging on.
Ryan never desisted from his tactics,
keeping his right and left going toward
OBrien's body.
Jack Nearly Out.
In avoiding a left hand swing for the
wind OBrien jumped up and caught the
punch somewhat low, whereat there was
feeble attempt TO claim foul. Ryan
got in a short right on the jaw, and
O'Brien would have gone 10 the floor
had he not fallen on Ryan.
The latter almost dragged him across
the ring, holding his arms out. O'Brien
was practically helpless, and just before
the gong sounded sponge dropped into
the ring.
When the bell sounded. one Of O Brien's
seconds rushed into the ring and car
rfed him TO his corner.
When they came up for sthe sixth
round O'Brien still looked to De in dis
tress. while Ryan looked as cool as a
cucumber-in fact, he looked trifie too
cool 10 suit the judgment OF some of
those about the ringside.
II was evident BY his work In the lat
tar part OF the fifth round that he had
solved the mystery OF O'Brien's guard
and knew how TO reach his most Yulner-
able spot. the body
In the sixth round, however, he did
not show any disposition to profit by
that knowledge. He contented himself
BY boxing as he had in the second and
third rounds. taking care OF himself
and now and then making a swing just
NJ reminder that he was there.
Ryan the Better Man.
II was a great bout TO witness. and the
general opinion expressed after II was
over, even by OBrien's friends, was
that Jack would have no business with
Ryan In an extended round affair