Tommy Ryan - Revision history

Artur128: /* External Links */

2020-07-22T12:45:36Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:45, 22 July 2020
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	:I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.		:I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

			==Professional record==
			*15 opponents (12 by KO) beaten for the World Title.
			**9 opponents (7 by KO) for the World Middleweight Title.
			**6 opponents (5 by KO) for the World Welterweight Title.
	==External Links==		==External Links==
	*"A Tracy Callis Profile": [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]		*"A Tracy Callis Profile": [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]

Ric: external newspaper article linked

2013-08-25T15:47:15Z

external newspaper article linked

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:47, 25 August 2013
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	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ?Nineteen Years In The Ring,? the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written		In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled "'Nineteen Years In The Ring,' the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written by himself":
	by himself.

	It is I believe the custom to start a story of a person's life history with the		:It is I believe the custom to start a story of a person's life history with the facts of his birth. I shall doubtless surprise some of my readers by statements which I shall make in this as well as the other articles.
	facts of his birth. I shall doubtless surprise some of my readers by statements
	which I shall make in this as well as the other articles.

	The general impression among ring followers all over the country is that I am of Jewish parentage. While I have nothing but the highest regard for that race, I am not a member of it. I was born in the little town of Redwood in Jefferson County, New York on March 31st 1870. My father was a Frenchman and my mother English. I was christened Joseph Younges (note the spelling) how I came to be known as Tommy Ryan will be made known in another article.		:The general impression among ring followers all over the country is that I am of Jewish parentage. While I have nothing but the highest regard for that race, I am not a member of it. I was born in the little town of Redwood in Jefferson County, New York on March 31st 1870. My father was a Frenchman and my mother English. I was christened Joseph Younges (note the spelling) how I came to be known as Tommy Ryan will be made known in another article.

	When I was a youngster my parents moved to Syracuse and I received my early education in the public schools in Salt City. While I have been away from Syracuse at various times for considerable periods I still look upon that city as my home and will always be viewed by me as such.		:When I was a youngster my parents moved to Syracuse and I received my early education in the public schools in Salt City. While I have been away from Syracuse at various times for considerable periods I still look upon that city as my home and will always be viewed by me as such.

	However, the boyhood joys and troubles of a youngster will hardly be of interest to the great majority of my readers so I will pass over fifteen years by simply stating that I had as many troubles and scrapes as the average youngster and managed to live through them. My fifteenth birthday found me as a waterboy with one of the construction gangs on the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railway in Michigan.		:However, the boyhood joys and troubles of a youngster will hardly be of interest to the great majority of my readers so I will pass over fifteen years by simply stating that I had as many troubles and scrapes as the average youngster and managed to live through them. My fifteenth birthday found me as a waterboy with one of the construction gangs on the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railway in Michigan.

	The line was being constructed at that time, and it was among the railway laborers that I got my first smack of fighting. Camps were erected along the line of the railway several miles apart. Part of the equipment of every camp seemed to be a few pairs of boxing gloves for men living a clean, healthy life. In the open are always followers of any clean, healthful sport, such as boxing is.		:The line was being constructed at that time, and it was among the railway laborers that I got my first smack of fighting. Camps were erected along the line of the railway several miles apart. Part of the equipment of every camp seemed to be a few pairs of boxing gloves for men living a clean, healthy life. In the open are always followers of any clean, healthful sport, such as boxing is.

	Prior to going to Michigan I had never seen any regular boxing bouts. While I was in Syracuse a man named Meyers used to keep a saloon on Railroad street and every Saturday night there would be a couple of short bouts in the bar room. As I was a small boy at that time I was frequently kicked out. In fact, I was never allowed in the room when any of the men knew I was there. They say that boys will be boys, and when a boy wants to see anything he will generally succeed. I was no exception, and I managed by devious ways to see a few of these bouts.		:Prior to going to Michigan I had never seen any regular boxing bouts. While I was in Syracuse a man named Meyers used to keep a saloon on Railroad street and every Saturday night there would be a couple of short bouts in the bar room. As I was a small boy at that time I was frequently kicked out. In fact, I was never allowed in the room when any of the men knew I was there. They say that boys will be boys, and when a boy wants to see anything he will generally succeed. I was no exception, and I managed by devious ways to see a few of these bouts.

	After I had been in the construction camp for a short time I was allowed to put on the gloves myself. Right here I want to tell my readers that the boxing glove of those days and the glove of to-day are entirely different things, though known, by the same name. The boxing glove of 1885 was a skin-tight leather glove that was devised more for the protection of the hand of the boxer wearing it than for the protection of the man upon whom it was to be used.		:After I had been in the construction camp for a short time I was allowed to put on the gloves myself. Right here I want to tell my readers that the boxing glove of those days and the glove of to-day are entirely different things, though known, by the same name. The boxing glove of 1885 was a skin-tight leather glove that was devised more for the protection of the hand of the boxer wearing it than for the protection of the man upon whom it was to be used.

	Boxing seemed to come quite natural to me. I was quick on my feet and could use my hands rather well. I have never had a boxing lesson in my life, but experience is the best lesson that anyone can have. I was simply put up against a man and he went after me. It was up to me to look out for myself, and it was in such bouts that I learned the first movements of side-stepping, feinting and parrying that afterwards gave me a reputation in the boxing world.		:Boxing seemed to come quite natural to me. I was quick on my feet and could use my hands rather well. I have never had a boxing lesson in my life, but experience is the best lesson that anyone can have. I was simply put up against a man and he went after me. It was up to me to look out for myself, and it was in such bouts that I learned the first movements of side-stepping, feinting and parrying that afterwards gave me a reputation in the boxing world.

	Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.		:Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.

	The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions ? the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.		:The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions ? the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.

	I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.		:I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

	==External Links==		==External Links==
	*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm ~~A Tracy Callis Profile~~]		*"A Tracy Callis Profile": [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]
			*16 Oct 1900 ''Seattle Star'': [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87093407/1900-10-16/ed-1/seq-2/]
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Tommy}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Tommy}}
	[[Category:World Welterweight Champions]]		[[Category:World Welterweight Champions]]

Ric: link to gallery added

2011-02-03T17:54:06Z

link to gallery added

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 3 February 2011
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	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
	'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>		'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>
	[[:~~Image~~:~~RyanTom2.jpg~~\|~~Photo #2]], [[:Image:~~Ryan~~.Tommy.1921.jpg\|Photo #3~~]]		'''[[:Category: Tommy Ryan Gallery\|Tommy Ryan Gallery]]'''
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

Emaster: updated category name

2009-10-15T19:53:28Z

updated category name

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:53, 15 October 2009
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	[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1991<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/ryan.html click]]]		[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1991<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/ryan.html click]]]
	<boxer>031487</boxer>		<boxer>031487</boxer>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
	'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>		'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>
	[[:Image:RyanTom2.jpg\|Photo #2]], [[:Image:Ryan.Tommy.1921.jpg\|Photo #3]]		[[:Image:RyanTom2.jpg\|Photo #2]], [[:Image:Ryan.Tommy.1921.jpg\|Photo #3]]
			<br clear=all>

	~~<br clear=all>~~
	In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ?Nineteen Years In The Ring,? the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written		In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ?Nineteen Years In The Ring,? the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written
	by himself.		by himself.
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	I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.		I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

			==External Links==
	== Links ==		*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm A Tracy Callis Profile]
	*~~A Tracy Callis Profile:~~ [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Tommy}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Tommy}}
	[[Category:World Welterweight Champions]]		[[Category:World Welterweight Champions]]
	[[Category:World Middleweight Champions]]		[[Category:World Middleweight Champions]]
			[[Category:Two Division World Champions]]
	[[Category:American World Champions]]		[[Category:American World Champions]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members]]
	~~[[Category: Two division champions]]~~

Ric: another image linked

2009-08-09T17:18:22Z

another image linked

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 9 August 2009
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	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
	'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>		'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>
	*[[:Image:RyanTom2.jpg\|Photo #2]]		[[:Image:RyanTom2.jpg\|Photo #2]], [[:Image:Ryan.Tommy.1921.jpg\|Photo #3]]

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
	In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ~~�Nineteen~~ Years In The Ring,� the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written		In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ?Nineteen Years In The Ring,? the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written
	by himself.		by himself.

Line 30:		Line 30:
	Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.		Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.

	The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions � the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.		The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions ? the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.

	I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.		I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

Rowdytimothy: Tommy Ryan (Champion) moved to Tommy Ryan

2009-03-26T23:26:26Z

Tommy Ryan (Champion) moved to Tommy Ryan

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:26, 26 March 2009
(No difference)

Rowdytimothy: add ibhof link and logo

2009-03-18T22:31:19Z

add ibhof link and logo

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 18 March 2009
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	[[file:Ryan.Tommy1898.jpg\|left\|~~325px~~\|Tommy Ryan]]		[[file:Ryan.Tommy1898.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Tommy Ryan]]
			[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1991<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/ryan.html click]]]
	<boxer>031487</boxer>		<boxer>031487</boxer>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
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	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
	In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled ~~“Nineteen~~ Years In The Ring,” the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written		In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled �Nineteen Years In The Ring,� the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written
	by himself.		by himself.

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	Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.		Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.

	The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions – the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.		The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions � the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.

	I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.		I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.



	== Links ==		== Links ==
	*A Tracy Callis Profile: [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]		*A Tracy Callis Profile: [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w12x-tc.htm]
	*Fight Record: [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=031487]

	[[Category:World ~~Middleweight~~ Champions~~\|Ryan, Tommy~~]]		{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Tommy}}
	[[Category:World ~~Welterweight~~ Champions~~\|Ryan, Tommy~~]]		[[Category:World Welterweight Champions]]
	[[Category:American World Champions~~\|Ryan, Tommy~~]]		[[Category:World Middleweight Champions]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members~~\|Ryan, Tommy~~]]		[[Category:American World Champions]]
	[[Category: Two division champions~~\|Ryan, Tommy~~]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members]]
			[[Category: Two division champions]]

Bert: link

2007-05-31T02:38:37Z

link

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:38, 31 May 2007
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	[[Category:American World Champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]		[[Category:American World Champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members\|Ryan, Tommy]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members\|Ryan, Tommy]]
			[[Category: Two division champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]

Ric: 2nd image linked

2007-01-15T18:46:34Z

2nd image linked

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:46, 15 January 2007
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	<boxer>031487</boxer>		<boxer>031487</boxer>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
	'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]		'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]<br>
			*[[:Image:RyanTom2.jpg\|Photo #2]]

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

Ric: image added; proofread

2006-12-17T22:03:32Z

image added; proofread

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:03, 17 December 2006
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[file:Ryan.Tommy1898.jpg\|left\|325px\|Tommy Ryan]]
	<boxer>031487</boxer>		<boxer>031487</boxer>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Jack Hamilton]]<br>
	'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]		'''Manager:''' [[Captain Jim Westcott]]

	Tommy Ryan ~~1911~~ articles		<br clear=all>
			In 1911 '''Tommy Ryan''' wrote a series of articles for the ''Syracuse Herald'' entitled “Nineteen Years In The Ring,” the story of the life and battles of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of the world as written
			by himself.

	~~In 1911 Tommy Ryan wrote~~ a ~~series~~ of ~~articles for the Syracuse Herald entitled '''“Nineteen Years In The Ring”,''~~' the ~~story~~ of ~~the life and battles~~		It is I believe the custom to start a story of a person's life history with the
	~~Of Tommy Ryan, retired middleweight champion of~~ the ~~world as written~~		facts of his birth. I shall doubtless surprise some of my readers by statements
	~~By himself~~.		which I shall make in this as well as the other articles.

	It is I ~~believe~~ the ~~custom to start~~ a ~~story~~ of ~~a persons life history with~~ the		The general impression among ring followers all over the country is that I am of Jewish parentage. While I have nothing but the highest regard for that race, I am not a member of it. I was born in the little town of Redwood in Jefferson County, New York on March 31st 1870. My father was a Frenchman and my mother English. I was christened Joseph Younges (note the spelling) how I came to be known as Tommy Ryan will be made known in another article.
	~~Facts~~ of ~~his birth~~. I ~~shall doubtless surprise some of my readers by statements~~
	~~Which~~ I ~~shall make~~ in ~~this as well as the other articles~~.

	~~The general impression among ring followers all over the country is that~~ I ~~am of Jewish parentage. While~~ I ~~have nothing but the highest regard for that race , I am not a member of it.i was born~~ in the ~~little town of Redwood~~ in ~~Jefferson County, New York on March 31st 1870~~. ~~My father was a Frenchman and my mother English~~ I ~~was christened Joseph Younges ( note the spelling, ) how~~ I ~~came to be known~~ as ~~Tommy Ryan~~ will be ~~made known in another article~~.		When I was a youngster my parents moved to Syracuse and I received my early education in the public schools in Salt City. While I have been away from Syracuse at various times for considerable periods I still look upon that city as my home and will always be viewed by me as such.

	~~When I was~~ a youngster ~~my parents moved~~ to ~~Syracuse and I received~~ my ~~early Education in the public schools in Salt City. While~~ I ~~have been away from Syracuse at various times for considerable periods~~ I ~~still look upon that city~~ as ~~my home~~ and ~~will always be viewed by~~ me as ~~such~~.		However, the boyhood joys and troubles of a youngster will hardly be of interest to the great majority of my readers so I will pass over fifteen years by simply stating that I had as many troubles and scrapes as the average youngster and managed to live through them. My fifteenth birthday found me as a waterboy with one of the construction gangs on the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railway in Michigan.

	~~However~~, the ~~boyhood Joys and troubles~~ of ~~a youngster will hardly be~~ of ~~Interest to~~ the ~~great majority~~ of ~~my readers so I will pass over fifteen years by simply, stating that I had as many troubles and scrapes as~~ the ~~average youngster and managed~~ to ~~live through them. My fifteenth birthday found me as~~ a ~~waterboy with~~, ~~one~~ of ~~the construction gangs on the Toledo & Ann Arbor railway in Michigan~~.		The line was being constructed at that time, and it was among the railway laborers that I got my first smack of fighting. Camps were erected along the line of the railway several miles apart. Part of the equipment of every camp seemed to be a few pairs of boxing gloves for men living a clean, healthy life. In the open are always followers of any clean, healthful sport, such as boxing is.

	~~The line~~ was ~~being constructed~~ at that time, ~~and it~~ was ~~among~~ the ~~railway laborers that I got my first smack~~ of ~~fighting. Camps were erected along~~ the ~~line of the railway several miles apart~~. ~~Part of the equipment of every camp seemed to~~ be a ~~few pairs of boxing gloves~~, ~~for men living~~ a ~~clean, healthy life. in the open are always followers~~ of ~~any clean, healthful sport, such as boxing is~~.		Prior to going to Michigan I had never seen any regular boxing bouts. While I was in Syracuse a man named Meyers used to keep a saloon on Railroad street and every Saturday night there would be a couple of short bouts in the bar room. As I was a small boy at that time I was frequently kicked out. In fact, I was never allowed in the room when any of the men knew I was there. They say that boys will be boys, and when a boy wants to see anything he will generally succeed. I was no exception, and I managed by devious ways to see a few of these bouts.

	~~Prior to going to Michigan~~ I had ~~never seer, any regular boxing bouts. While~~ I was ~~in Syracuse a man named Meyers who used~~ to ~~keep a saloon~~ on ~~Railroad street~~ and ~~every Saturday night there would be a couple~~ of ~~short bouts in~~ the ~~bar room~~. ~~. As I~~ was a ~~small boy at~~ that ~~time I~~ was ~~frequently kicked out. In fact, I was never allowed In~~ the ~~room when any~~ of the ~~men knew I~~ was ~~there. They say that boys will~~ be ~~boys, and when a boy wants to see anything he will generally succeed. I was no exception, and I managed by devious ways to see a few of these~~		After I had been in the construction camp for a short time I was allowed to put on the gloves myself. Right here I want to tell my readers that the boxing glove of those days and the glove of to-day are entirely different things, though known, by the same name. The boxing glove of 1885 was a skin-tight leather glove that was devised more for the protection of the hand of the boxer wearing it than for the protection of the man upon whom it was to be used.
	~~bouts~~.

	~~After I had been in the construction camp for a short time~~ I was ~~allowed to put~~ on ~~the gloves myself~~. ~~Right here~~ I ~~want to tell~~ my ~~readers that the boxing glove of those days and the glove of to-day are entirely different things, though known~~, by the ~~same name~~. ~~The boxing glove of I885~~ was a ~~skin-tight leather glove that~~ was ~~devised more~~ for ~~the protection of the hand of the boxer wearing~~ it ~~than for~~ the ~~protection~~ of the ~~man upon whom it was to be used~~.		Boxing seemed to come quite natural to me. I was quick on my feet and could use my hands rather well. I have never had a boxing lesson in my life, but experience is the best lesson that anyone can have. I was simply put up against a man and he went after me. It was up to me to look out for myself, and it was in such bouts that I learned the first movements of side-stepping, feinting and parrying that afterwards gave me a reputation in the boxing world.

	~~Boxing seemed to come quite natural To me~~ I was ~~quick on~~ my ~~feet~~ and ~~could use my hands rather well I have never had~~ a ~~boxing lesson In my life~~, ~~but experience Is the best lesson that any one can have.~~ I ~~was simply put up against a man and he went after me~~. It ~~was up to~~ me to ~~look out for myself~~, ~~and It was in~~ such ~~bouts that I learned the first movements of side~~-~~stepping~~, ~~feinting and parrying~~ that ~~afterwards gave me a reputation in the boxing world~~.		Before I had been boxing many weeks I was able to outbox any man in the camp. My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever. It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer. However, there is such a thing as being over-confident, but I am not going to take up that question here.

	~~Before I had been~~ boxing ~~many weeks I was able to outbox any~~ man in the camp ~~My fellow workers took considerable pride in my ability and being but a youngster, I came to look upon myself as rather clever~~. ~~It gave me confidence, something that is greatly needed to make a good boxer However, there is~~ such a ~~thing as being over-confident, but I am not going~~ to ~~take up that question here~~.		The various camps soon began to arrange bouts between their respective boxing champions – the best man in the camp meeting the best of another. When such a bout was arranged the men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip to the camp where the bout would be held.

	The various camps soon began to arrange bouts Between their respective boxing champions – the best man In the camp meeting the best of an other. When such a bout was arranged The men from our camp would get out the hand cars and make the trip To the camp where the bout would be held.		I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner in every bout. The bouts were all with the skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. The floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

	I was taken the round of all the camps and was returned a winner In every bout. The bouts were all ~~withthe~~ skin-tight gloves and such things as rounds were unknown. There would be a signal to start, and it was a case of keep fighting until one man was knocked out or until one gave up. Some of those camp fights of mine lasted only a few minutes while others required a full hour. The bouts usually took place in a big mess house or in the open air. There were no padded canvas floors to fall upon, no skilled seconds to take care of you every three minutes. ~~the~~ floors were uneven, rough and hard. Stimulants during the bouts were entirely out of the question.

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	[[Category:American World Champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]		[[Category:American World Champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members\|Ryan, Tommy]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members\|Ryan, Tommy]]
			[[Category: Two division champions\|Ryan, Tommy]]