Sig Hart

Manager

of

Buddy Ryan

Circa 1905

In early May, 1905, Buddy Ryan changed managers leaving Sig Hart to go under the management of Johnny Reed. As it developed a critical decision for the very promising Buddy Ryan.

Less than three weeks after his knockout of the highly regarded Rufe Turner, Jimmy Gardner continued his pursuit of an opportunity to fight for the lightweight title. In the same sweltering Colma Pavilion of August, 1905, he squared off with Buddy Ryan, from the stockyard district of Chicago.

WAS FIGHT FIXED?

Many Rumors Afloat On The Coast Anent Bout.

CLAIM THAT IT WAS A FAKE

Agreement Said to Have Been Made to Have Contest End in Fifteenth Round.

San Francisco, Cal., - Aug. 26. As weird a finish almost as that of the Sharkey-Fitzsimmons contest at Mechanics' Pavilion years ago was that between Buddy Ryan and Jimmy Gardner at Colma.

The thing smelled to heaven and about the only thing that saved the prize ring game from a full sized scandal was the fact that Referee Billy Roche had the grit to declare all bets off on the event.

Just how much money would have changed hands on the contest is not known, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000. When the market opened the men sold at even money, and later on 10 to 8, Gardner favorite.

They were betting 10 to 4 1/2 that Gardner would win and even money that he would do the trick in fifteen rounds.

Right up to the moment when the confusion began in the fifteenth round the affair was a highly satisfactory one from a sportsman's view...

-Milwaukee Free Press. August 27, 1905

At the opening of the fifteenth round, they sparred for a few seconds and then came apart...Ryan rushed again...Suddenly Gardner drove his fist in Ryan's midriff. In a second the ring was full of Ryan's seconds yelling like mad. Gardner went at Ryan like a mad man and dropped him to the floor with a right and left to the jaw. The gong rang as Ryan's seconds picked him up and carried him to his corner. He was unable to respond to call for the next round and his handlers threw in the sponge.

Referee Roche declared all bets off. He called Gardner the winner, but said that neither of the fighters could get his purse unless they fought on. An excited mob piled into the ring at this announcement and with difficulty the police cleared the arena. Ryan was carried to thecentre of the ring by his seconds and deposited on the floor, where he lay prone, while his seconds worked over him. He was carried from the ring.

-Police Gazette. 1905

BUDDY RYAN LOSES EYE

Report From Frisco Says Chicagoan Was Hurt in Gardner Fight

San Francisco, Cal.,Oct. 4- It has been learned that Buddy Ryan, the Chicago fighter, who shortly after his defeat by Jimmy Gardner was slashed by a knife in the hands of his manager, Johnny Reed, has lost the sight of one eye.

-Milwaukee Free Press. October 5, 1905.

Buddy Ryan was to fight one only once more, losing an eight round decision to Jack Dougherty. In March of 1906, Buddy Ryan's eye was surgically removed. For the next half a dozen years, Ryan's named appeear periodically in the press as he attempted to mount a "comeback" challenging at various times Jack Doughtery, Barbdos Joe Wolcott, Eddie McGoorty, Bob Moha, none ever responded. Buddy Ryan never fought again. Jimmy Gardner lost his next fight to Mike Twin Sullivan. But, Gardner was later defeat Sullivan for the disputed California World Welterweight Title and later defeat Jimmy Clabby for Louisiana's version of the World Welterweight Crown. Gardner's career continued through 1913, 104 fights in all losing only 13 times. To this day the Ring Record book lists an entry under Jimmy Gardner's record : Aug. 25 Buddy Ryan, Colma, Calif. TKO 15.

For Sig Hart the future was brighter he became Jack Johnson's manager, but that was to end in controversy and bitterness. He remained connected with boxing by Hart's claim he managed over 300 fighters in the course of his lifetime.

Original Vintage Studio Photograph

Barcley & Wood Studio

Chicago

Price: $ 245.00

Size: 3 7/8 X 5 1/2 inches. including the mount 5 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches

Condition: Excellent as photograph. Poor as to mount, pictured below.

6000-0111

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