|
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.
|
