This broadside can be seen at the Bodleian collection, Harding B 26(225), or at the University of Notre Dame, BPP 1001-130.

GRAND   VICTORY   OF
Paddy Ryan,   OVER   Joe Goss,
I N   A M E R I C A.
(For the heavy Championship and £400, in Gold.)


You lovers of the manly game attend to what I state,
It is of a glorious victory the truth I will relate,
Which happened in America far across the briny wave
When a gallant bold Tipperary man did valiantly behave.

It was for the heavy Championship and £400, in gold,
In a place called West Virginia, as from New York we're told,
It was arranged this gallant fight should be decided there,
When the Irishmen assembled in droves from everywhere.

At half-past five in the morning, it was on the 1st. of June,
Those champions met each other in Virginia in their bloom,
They shook hands with one another and Ryan jokingly did say
"I feel quite well, I thank you Joe, how do you do to-day."

On time being called those gallant men they stepped into the ring
They advanced towards each other and then shook hands again,
They sparred and tarried for awhile with elegance and ease,
Untill two left hands were exchanged, Goss fell on his knees.

From the first round to the fifth, some heavy blows took place,
Goss kept to the body, and Ryan on the face,
Joe Goss sent in a stinger and Ryan's claret drew,
First blood in favour of Joe Goss they all acknowledged true.

From the first round to the forty-forth Joe Goss he bore the sway
Only three rounds of that number did Ryan lead the way,
And Goss from dropping on his knees which he nimbly did pursue
But before the finish of the fight he had reason for to rue.

Now the sixty-second was the best of all the rounds they fought,
It was the balance of the Championship and dearly it was bought,
Without either flinching from their ground they delivered blow for blow,
But Ryan's youth began to tell and Goss did overthrow.

From that time to the sixty-ninth, was horrid to behold,
They looked like as if painted they were covered over with blood,
A fearful gash on Ryan's eye in the next round did appear,
But Ryan sent in a ten-fold blow and split open Joe's left ear.

The number of rounds were eighty-five, which closed this horrid scene,
In the annals of the Prize Ring it has never equalled been,
Over fifty Prize Ring men were there and one and all they swore
'Twas the best contested battle they ever saw before.

On time being called for the next round Joe Goss did not appear,
Paddy walked up to the scratch without either dread or fear,
He was declared the winner of this great victory,
It's another laurel on record for his native country.

Now to end these lines I do incline my pen I will lay down,
With success to Paddy Ryan, may he always gain renown,
He wore a green silk handkerchief and on it he did smile,
It is the colour of our fatherland, and emblem of our Isle.