The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-25
O'bRIEN WILL HAVE A
HARD TASK WITH RYAN
Syracuse Tommy Proves to Be in
Grand Shape for a Very Fast
Six-ROund Bout.
CHAMPION OUGHT TO WIN

CHICAGO, Jan. 2-Jack O'Brien. of
Philadelphia, will be asked the question Of
his life Wednesday night in his own arena
He will oppose Tommy Ryan. claimant of
the middle-weight championship, in a six
round fight, and, as usual in Philadelphia,
there will be no decision if both men are
on their feet at the end of the sixth round.
The spectators will be left to judge of the
merits of the men as they see fit.
This is the one battle Of all that might be
arranged that fighting enthusiasts have
been anxious to see contaminated The
men have been matched a half dozen times,
with fair prospects of deciding the ques-
ton, but something always interviewed to
prevent the meeting. OBrien has time and
again blamed Ryan for dilatory and weak
kneed tactics. while Ryan always retorted
that he was ready and willing to box
O'Brien at any time or place where a fair
break could be obtained.
In the present agreement there is little
doubt that the crafty O'Brien unmatched
the foxy Ryan, and it was only by an ap-
peal to the latter's financial instincts that
O'Brien was able to prevail upon Tommy
to sign the articles. A purse Of 5000 was
offered for the meeting by a club in which
O'Brien is understood 10 have healthy
working interest. This amount will be
split equally, each getting $500. Ryan did
not want to tackle Jack in a short fight,
preferring route of az least fifteen rounds,
but that 1850 looked pretty good to him,
and when the club made a further offer Of
Tommy fell and signed the articles
That Ryan Is in grand shape for the fight
there is little doubt. He gave private six
round exhibition with Hugo Kelly Saturday
a ffarnnnn To q fnN Friends ", g
gymnasium In Adams street. He showed
unequivocally that he is possessed of all his
old-time speed and hitting power and while
he did not cut loose" in any alarming man.
ner with Kelly, he hit the Italian middle
weight hard enough to show what he could
do If occasion required 1t. He claims to be
down to 147, or within fraction of pound
of that figure If that is so, and II is q
well-known fact that Ryan could make this
weight some time ago, he Will have at least
ten pounds the worst of it when he faces
the tall Eastern man.
Ryan has better color and healthier glow
to his skin than he had four months ago.
He is not heavily muscled, but all of his
development is so placed that 1t means
much in a boxing sense. His hands are In
perfect condition after his long rest.
Tommy has done nothing in the fighting
line since June 80, on which date he knocked
out John Willie in four rounds out in Butte,
Mont. He claimed after that fight that he
would not think seriously of fighting any
more for some time. and doubted if he
would again be tempted into a ring. But
when O'Brien came along with that nice
offer in Philadelphia Ryan could not re-
sist IL.
Chicago enthusiasts will no doubt to a
man pick Ryan as the winner and not few
OF them will say that Ryan will win with
Knockout punch. 1t is doubtful, though,
If Ryan will be able TO find the taller mans
Jaw in a fight of only six rounds. But
Ryan, IL is said, has designs on O'Brien's
ribs and hopes to lay him low with some
well-directed punches just above the belt
line. Ryan has had frequent occasion to
study Jacks style of boxing in the latters
numerous bouts in this city and did not
lose a single opportunity to occupy ring
side seat while Jack was performing. AS
RSan is nothing If not a student Of the
game, he undoubtedly learned all that is
necessary to know of O'Brien's style.
Therefore ii may be presumed that he Will
want to waste little time in fiddling around
or trying his man out.
Perhaps O'Brien is the more clever Of the
pair but Ryan certainly has it on the Phil
adelphia man in punching power. They use
pretty small gloves in Philadelphia, and
this may aid Jack, whose insignificant look
ing but cutting left-hand stabs are his
chief stock in trade in the offensive line.
Ryan could do just as much effective work
with large gloves, but sizing the entire
affair up from every point of view, 1t looks
TO be a fairly even thing for six rounds.