Paddy Ryan

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Paddy Ryan (14 March 1851 – 14 December 1900) was an Irish-American boxer, and became his sport's Heavyweight Champion from May 30, 1880 when he won the title from Joe Goss until losing his title to John L. Sullivan on February 7, 1882.

Paddy Ryan was born in Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland on March 14, 1851. After moving to America, he lived in the Troy area of New York State and was consequently nicknamed the Trojan Giant. After opening a saloon in 1874, he caught the attention of the athletic director of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jim Killoran. Killoran supposedly saw him dealing with troublemakers and drunks at the saloon whereupon he decided to train Ryan as a prizefighter.

Ryan's first match was in 1877. He was as much an all-around fighter, grappler or wrestler as he was a boxer. Under the London Prize Ring rules of that era, his style of fighting was perfectly acceptable. Three years later on May 30, 1880 in Coillier's Station, West Virginia Paddy Ryan faced Joe Goss who was recognized as champion. After 87 rounds and ninety minutes, Paddy Ryan emerged the winner and claimed the championship.

In 1882, Ryan agreed to face rising boxer John L. Sullivan for the championship. The fight was to be bare-kunckle under the London Prize Ring Rules in a 24 foot ring. Each side put up $2,500 winner-take-all. The fighters arrived in New Orleans on February 6, 1882. Governor Lowry of Mississippi issued a proclamation ordered all local sheriffs to do whatever was necessary to stop the fight, which was illegal. The next day, the fight crowd moved to Mississippi City, Mississippi where a ring was set up in front of the Barnes' Hotel in a grove of live oaks.

Paddy Ryan's seconds for the fight were John Roche (New York) and Tom Kelly (St. Louis). His umpire was James Shannon of New York. Sullivan's seconds were Billy Madden and Joe Goss. His umpire was James Shannon. There was a dispute over the selection of a referee which was finally settled by the appointment of two referees: Alexander Brewster of New Orleans and Jack Hardy of Vicksburg.

Following old tradition, John L. Sullivan threw his hat in the ring at 11:45 am. Ryan entered the ring at 11:57 with the crowd estimated at 5,000. The men then approached the scratch line in the center of the ring and shook hands.

After nine rounds, Sullivan knocked Paddy Ryan out with a right handed punch which landed under Ryan's left ear. The fight had been conducted bare-kunckle under the London Prize Ring Rules. Historically the fight was the last time the championship would be won (as opposed to defended) in a bare kunckle fight. Ryan fought Sullivan on many occasions afterward, but never won.

In Ryan's era, boxing titles were informal. Some sources often refer to him as the "Heavyweight Champion of America" others call him a world champion. But in practice, he was recognized as the premier champion of boxing while he held the title.

Paddy Ryan died on December 14, 1900 in Green Island New York and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. He was elected to Ring Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1973.