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NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1882
JOHN L. SULLIVAN vs PATRICK RYAN

New York Tribune

THE SULLIVAN-RYAN
PRIZE FIGHT.

SULLIVAN WINS WITHOUT A
SCRATCH. RYAN SEVERELY
PUNISHED AT MISSISSIPPI CITY,
MISS. - OVER 2,000 PEOPLE IN
ATTENDANCE ON THE BRUTAL
EXHIBITION - NO INTERFERENCE
BY THE AUTHORITIES.

   MISSISSIPPI CITY, Miss., Feb. 7. - Long before daylight this morning the Mobile Railroad station was thronged with "sporting men" and newspaper reporters who had come here to witness the prize fight between Patrick Ryan, of Troy, N.Y., and John L. Sullivan, of Boston. Between 10 and 11 o'clock a.m. excursion trains brought large crowds from New Orleans, and the grounds about Barnes's Hotel were soon filled with about 2,000 people. The sheriff had business in Biloxi, which kept him away until the fight was over. There was no indications that the authorities thought of interfering. If they had sought to prevent the fight, it is not likely that they would have been successful, for the people here were in favor of a "fair and free fight." The pugilists, who did most of their training in New Orleans and on the line of the Mobile Railroad did not arrive until this morning. Sullivan came at 10:30 o;clock and took a room opposite Ryan, within 100 feet of the ring. The ropes and stakes arrived at 11 o'clock. The ring was immediately pitched in front of the hotel, under a grove of live oaks. There the large crowds of people waited until all the preliminary arrangements were completed, passing their time in making bets.
_ A few minutes before 12 o'clock Sullivan cast his cap into the ring, and soon after Ryan entered the ring, accompanied by "Tom" Kelly and "Johnny" Roach. Ryan won the choice of corners and took the southwest corner. Sullivan took the opposite corner with the sun in his face. After some consultation, James D. Houston, of New Orleans, was chosen referee. He declined, and at 12:30 Charles Bush was chosen. He also refused. Soon after the matter was settled by the choice of Alexander Brewster, of New Orleans, and "Jack" Hardy, of Vicksburg. All the arrangements having been made, the two pugilists entered the ring and shook hands. The incidents of the fight are given below:
_ First Round - Both men sparred cautiously for an opening. Ryan led with his right, but fell short and caught in return a "hot one" from Sullivan's left hand on the face. Exchanges then became short and quick, and Sullivan finally knocked Ryan down with a severe right-hander on the cheek. Time, 30 seconds.
_ Second Round - Sullivan at once rushed toward Ryan and gave him a blow on the jaw with his left hand. Ryan closed with him, and they wrestled for a fall, Ryan winning and falling heavily on his opponent. Time, 25 seconds.
_ Third Round - The men came together with a rush, and Sullivan, after making three passes, knocked Ryan down with a terrible right-hand blow on the chest. Time, 4 seconds.
_ Fourth Round - The men sparred, for a second or two, and then Sullivan gave Ryan a stinging blow on his nose before the closed. "Slugging" then began and continued until Ryan was forced upon the ropes, when he went to the grass.  Time, 20 seconds.
_ Fifth Round - This was a repetition of the previous round, both men closing and putting in their "best licks." The attack of both men was confined to the face. Ryan succeeded in bringing Sullivan to his knees at the close of the round.
_ Sixth Round - Sullivan came up smiling, but it was evident that Ryan was not only suffering, but was somewhat afraid of his antagonist. Sullivan lost no time, but Ryan closed and threw him.
_ Seventh Round - This round was a short one. The men closed and hitting was continued for a few seconds, when Ryan went to the grass a wreck. Sullivan came to his corner smiling. Ryan, however, had the grit to come up for another round.
_ Eighth Round - When time was called the men came up promptly. Ryan was decidedly weak, but he made a gallant struggle. Sullivan fought him over the ring into the umpire's corner and over the ropes. Upon getting off the ropes Ryan rallied, but went down on one hand and one knee. A foul was looked for, but, though Sullivan had his hand raised to strike, he restrained himself as Ryan rose. Both men were retiring to their corners when the seconds of each cried "Go for him," and the men again came together. They closed and then clinched, and after a short struggle both went down.
_ Ninth Round - Ryan failed to come to time and the fight was declared in favor of Sullivan.
_ Ryan and Sullivan were visited after they had gone to their quarters. Ryan was lying in an exhausted condition on his bed, badly disfigured about the face, his upper lip being cut through and his nose disfigured. He did not move but lay panting. Stimulants were given him. He is terribly punished on the head.
_ At the conclusion of the fight Sullivan ran laughing to his quarters at a lively gait. He lay down awhile as he was a little out of wind, but there is not a scratch on him. He chatted pleasantly with his friends.
_ The fight was short, sharp, and decisive on Sullivan's part throughout, Ryan showing weariness after the first round.

New York Tribune 1882
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE
FEBRUARY 9, 1882

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT
JANUARY 29, 1882
PRE-FIGHT REPORT

THE NEW YORK TIMES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1882
THE EXPECTED PRIZE FIGHT

THE NEW YORK TIMES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1882
SULLIVAN WINS THE FIGHT

EASTON EXPRESS
PENNSYLVANIA, PA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1882
THE RYAN AND SULLIVAN BATTLE

Historic boxing newspapers and articles.