The San Francisco call., 1910-05-22

tnc squared C1rCAe
~ ever man deserved an object long sought
through years of patient struggle and frequent
encouragement that man was Joe" Goss, who
won the championship of the world at the age
II of So
A fighter from the time he attained his majority,
consistent winner up his clash with the redoubtable
"Jem" Mace, he hung to his purpose until that phe-
nomenal boxer his acknowledged master, had been
removed from the field and then achieved his ambition
in the Indian of his ring life. Opposed to
Mace in three battles, he drew and went down
twice in honorable defeat The of his record was
without check up the last.
Goss born in Wolverhampton, England in
1888. After entering the ring in 1889 he fought
through the ranks of the third and second class
heavyweights and arrived in 1868 the notch just
under the championship. Here he remained, await
ing his further opportunity, Wrestling the honor at
last from Tom" Allen when that brave but unskillfu
pugilist again forced himself the front by sheer
strength and determination.
Jack" Broughton father of pugilism fought to
tain his place the head of the sport when AZ
years old. Tom" Johnson was finally defeated
at the age of II. Mace 20 when he fought his
last championship battle. Goss nearly AZ at the
time he met Paddy" Ryan, almost two years older
than Fitzsimmons in the second Jeffries fight Goss
is therefore entitled recognition the Oldest
tive reigning champion since 1850
have been able measure fists with the first boxer
Of the day serves as an adequate commentary upon
the state of the game in 1880. Ryan born in
Tipperary in 1852, and when first heard from had
gained local reputation a rough and tumble
bruiser in Troy, N Y. There was nothing to recon-
mend him for premier honors in the prize ring be-
yond his strength and his undoubted ability to take
and to inhict punishment Science he had none, nor
experience of the kind that makes champions under
recognized rules But the fact that he could whip"
anything his weight, without reference to the
manner of the Whipping" gave him sudden promi-
nence and he found hackers to the extent of 81 1000
in obtaining a match with Goss.
Goss was glad enough of the chance for action.
Rake England and America as he might, there
no other anxious do him battle, and in the general
dearth of material Ryans challenge and support gave
promise of relief After wearying negotiations and
unsuccessful attempts to dodge the authorities of
several states the men and their attendants with
crowd of about 300 out from Pittsburg May
81, 1880. By early morning of June the party had
found its way into the mountains of West Virginia,
and there, near Golfers Station, in weeded amph-
theater, the drama of tle championship once
more enacted.
The ring was pitched by moonlight the
trampled turf of the secluded valley, and as dawn
broke the little gathering thus furtively to-
gether took up positions the surrounding slopes.
RYAN respendent in red shirt black clothes and silk
hat was the first to approach the spot He regarded
the preparation of the ground with curiosity and
remarked that it all strange him, but that he
hoped to afford his friends good entertainment Soon
afterward he tossed his tile within the ropes Goss
followed and they stripped for BUSINESS both stand
ing up in white breeches and stockings. Ryan, the
novice. seemed rather nervous and awkward. Goss
who had passed through a of such ordeals,
calm and confident almost confident, his hackers
feared
GIANT IN BATTLE
In TRUTH the challenger in spite of his slender
qualifications for boxing was admirably equipped
for fighting Six feet one-half inch in height and
weighing l8O pounds he in the flush of his Is
years. a gigantic, heavy limbed solid bodied
mountain of Drawn and sinew No trim lines of
whipcord theness of build contributed his points;
but strength he had and long arms punched with
muscles and deep chest capable of carrying him
far in wearing contest He looked what he
and no more, a built for primitive struggle,
rough. rugged and big handed.
Goss though he was far from showing the won
derfu preservation that fight followers had observed
in Mace his last championship battle, still in
rude health and sound condition Ryan lowered
above MS feet 10 inches and in addition to other
obvious advantage had the greater width of shoulders
and reach But the champion in way to be
scorned as a fighting figure Beyond slight tendency
to abbiness about the ribs he seemed have all his
old muscular power and agility. In limbs and pose he
was finer picture Of athlete than his opponent
His the design of pugilist, compact and firm in
the upper structure delicately modelled in the
legs. with certain fexibity and balance in his
movements that Ryan lacked.
The men tossed for corners, Goss winning and
choosing TO place himself with his back to the east
and op slightly rising ground. The seconds then
established quarters, Griffin and Jones for Goss
Roach and Paine for Ryan. Goss umpire was Jim
my Shannon; Ryans DR.. Archer of New York.