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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.
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