Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-07
THE PUGILISTS
CHANCE FOR
 MORE MATCHES
Ryan's Splendid Showing Put. Him Back at the Top of the Heap
 -0ther Fight News.

By defeating Dave Barry, light heavyweight in five rounds at Hot Springs Tuesday night. Tommy Ryan, the middleweight champion, reestab- hshed himself in the estimation of ring followers. True it Is that Barry was second rater, but the fact that Ryan showed perfect health coupled with all of his former remarkable skill, convinced many, including the veteran George Siler who acted as referee, that the champion will be able to defend his title for some time to come. Three years ago Ryan was in such poor health that he told his friends he did not believe that he could live much longer. He had been a sufferer from stomach trouble for many years and 1t lad been pro- nounced incurable by eminent physi- clans. But Ryan was advised. as a last resort to consult well known specialist in this city, who quickly informed him that his case could be cured.
 Ryan was advised to cut out all medicines, eat plenty of wholesome food and go away to some country place where the pugilist could be per fectly quiet in practical solitude. Ryan needed this advice, purchased q farm for $10000 up in Michigan and gave up all idea of ever fighting again. In less than year, during which time he followed the special ist's instructions to the letter, Ryan had improved wonderfully. He took on flesh rapidly and became so strong physically that he began boxing reg ularly as a means of exercise Last summer he had completely regained his health and weighed TO pounds Even then he did not have an idea that he would enter the ring again, but when he had handed the middle weight title over to Hugo Kelly of Chicago, he suddenly changed his mind and declared that he would let Kelly fight him for the championship.
 But fight promoters did not believe Ryan in his supposed poor health would prove drawing card, so he decided to prove beyond per-adyen- ture that he was still one of the great est pugilists in the world by taking on Barry. Ryan trained down to 15d pounds for this mill. and Barry scaled at 16S. The battle had not gone two rounds when 1t was evident that Ryan was himself again. He was fast OH his feet, his science was all there, and in less time than 1t takes to tell il Barry was numbering around the ring typical punching bag. The begin. ming of the end, in the fifth round was heavy blow over Barry's heart which sent him to the floor. While the referee was counting the seconds Barry, on one knee, declared that Ryan had butted him in the chin with the top of his head. But Siler went on counting and Barry got up al nine.
 A blow in the pit of the stomach put him down again for another count. After that Ryan shifted his tactics by sending left and right t( jaw so cleanly that Barry fell in { l groggy condition. The latter wal 1 game, however, and got up ono, more only to be knocked fiat with ; left hand swing to the point of tn, ! jaw. Siler had counted nine wheI one of Barry's seconds threw a towe into the ring denoting the latter's de feat. Barry would have been counted out anyway, as he was helpless. Be fore the mill challenges were reat from. Hugo Kelly and Joe Thomas of fering to meet the winner. Ryan vii probably take on Kelly now in "a bat tie to finish. providing one of tn, | Neynda cluhs offer n goo (eD0 uyrsa
 Such q contest would doubtless draw a large gate, as Kelly is already re garded as phenomenal pugilist.