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HISTORIC BOXING NEWSPAPERS
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ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1882
JOHN L. SULLIVAN vs PADDY RYAN
PRE-FIGHT REPORT

SULLIVAN AND RYAN

How the Heavy Weights Are Preparing for
the Meeting a Week from Tuesday.

  Of course, the all absorbing topic in sporting circles is the coming prize-fight between Sullivan and Ryan, who have contracted to meet in the roped arena on February 7, which is just one week from Tuesday next. A contingency from St. Louis will attend the fight, an leave here during the present week. The latest news from the fighters is the following, clipped from the New Orleans Picayune of Thursday last:
  Sullivan is at Schroeder's Hotel, Carrollton, and enjoys the quietness of the little place, although he is a little inconvenienced by bad roads. Joe Goss and Billy Madden are training him, although Madden does not take as active a part as formerly, spending considerable time in the city attending to Sullivan's outside interests. Sullivan is in splendid condition, and has got down to very near his fighting weight. There remains upon him very little superfluous flesh, and his muscles are as hard and strong as could be desired.
  The Sullivan party give an exhibition Wednesday evening, provided they can get the necessary permit, about which it is supposed there will be no trouble, and it is expected that Sullivan's sympathizers will make the benefit a rouser.
  Ryan is doing hard work at West End, and is faithfully assisted by Johnny Roche, in whose experience the Troy champion justly trusts, and Joe Connick. Ryan is well pleased with his quarters, but the resort is far too popular to suit his taste, although he treats the crowds who go out to get a peep at him with uniform courtesy. It is said that, as the fight is so near, Ryan may remove to other training quarters, where he an work at will without being the subject of the curious and embarrassing although it may be the admiring gaze of the public.
  A reporter visited West End yesterday evening and found Charley Purkins, Ryan's friend, counselor and manager, entertaining a number of sporting men with particulars of the preliminaries to the great fight on the 7th of February. He was informed that Ryan was out for a walk, and went out to meet the Troy giant. About a mile from the end of the avenue at West End Ryan was discovered coming leisurely along, with Johnny Roche at his side, chatting pleasantly.
  Ryan was dressed in a pilot cloth rack coat, heavy diagonal vest, flannel shirt, tight fitting pants, heavy and comfortable walking shoes and a nobby little hat. He carried a cane, which served more to occupy his hands than as support.
  "Well, how are you feeling?" was the first question out.
  "Splendidly. I am in first class fighting condition."
  "How much do you weigh?"
  "I haven't any idea, but Roche knows."
  Roche was reticent as to Ryan's weight, saying that was a trainer's secret, but finally confided to the reporter that the champion weighed less than 190 pounds, and was therefore approaching the weight at which he intends to enter the ring.
  Johnny Roche in answer to the question said: "We intend to win. I don't care how long the battle lasts, I think Ryan will come out the victor."
  By the time the crowd had collected near the bridge at the end of the grassy road on which the party was traveling, and Ryan said:
  "You must excuse me, there's a crowd, and I want to get in without being bothered. Come on, Johnny" - stepping along the bushes which lined the lane, while the reporter and some gentlemen with him came up toward the lake.
  The Ryan party, including McDonald, of Canada, were to give an exhibition Sunday evening, but some objections being raised, at the suggestion of friends, it was put off until Tuesday evening. A big house is expected.
  Last night the topic of discussion at all the corners where men usually congregate was the Ryan-Sullivan fight. Rumor as to the scene of the affair were rife, and many had no truth in them prevailed. There was one thing upon which all seemed agreed, and that both would come to the scratch hopefully as long as they had strength enough to move their limbs.

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


THE NEW YORK TIMES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1882
SULLIVAN WINS THE FIGHT


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

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

Complete newspaper is 12 pages

Historic boxing newspapers and articles.