[1882 article] Ryan and John L. Sullivan's training regimen and diets

Not quite as intense as some of the other accounts I've been seeing.

The Bruisers, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb. 1 , 1882.

[...]

"How Ryan Trained.

Three days after signing articles Ryan went into training at Far Rockaway, under the direction of his old trainer—Roche. His method was as follows: at 5:30 o’clock, he would get up, take a little old sherry and a crust of stale bread, and walk three miles for an appetite. Breakfast next, either mutton chops or beefsteak, medium cooked, with little salt, dry toast, and a cup of tea, without sugar or milk. After breakfast three quarters of an hour’s rest, then, wrapped in heavy flannels and in heavy walking shoes, he would take a ten mile tramp, at a severe pace, the last half mile at a run. Then jump into bed, under heavy coverings, until the perspiration ceases; then hard rubbing and a lukewarm water bath, and rubbed dry. Then a quick walk until 12:30, at which time dinner of roast beef or boiled mutton, once in a while a few vegetables and a bottle of Bass’ or Scotch ale. After dinner, rowing exercise, three quarters of an hour, and then a half hour set(?) to and a while with two and a half pound dumb bells. Supper—two boiled eggs and a cup of tea; then a walk around till 9 or 9:30 P.M.; then the dumb bells and into bed.

[…]

Sullivan’s Method of Training

For the Ryan fight, which he began under Billy Madden December 27, at Bay St. Louis, fifty-two miles from New Orleans, on the New Orleans and Mobile Railroad was as follows: He would rise at 7.A.M., take a sea water sponge bath, then walk a mile. Breakfast at eight, beefsteak or mutton chops cooked to taste, coarse bread and butter and weak tea. Half an hour after breakfast a brisk walk of eight to ten miles, the last two miles at a quick pace to induce perspiration]. Then rubbing down with coarse towels until cool, then another salt water sponge bath and another rubbing. After dressing quiet until dinner at 1P.M., beef, mutton, roasted or boiled, stale bread with butter and one or two potatoes. Then quiet for an hour; then exercise in hitting a football suspended from the ceiling, or dumb bells, club swinging, etc. Supper at six, roast beef or roast mutton or mutton chops, stale bread with butter, apple sauce, weak tea, and once or twice a week Irish or Scotch oatmeal, well cooked, with mil. Then a moderate walk of half an hour, retiring at nine. Sufficient covering on the bed to be comfortable and no more, only perspiring when at exercise. Occasionally a sour apple is taken or an orange to keep the stomach in order, but no tobacco in any form or malt liquors or spirits or wine of any kind. Sufficient rain water is taken to quench thirst only. Sullivan is a slow and moderate eater and never overworked himself. Ten days ago he took up his quarters at a place, about twenty miles from New Orleans, on the New Orleans and Carrolton Railroad. Three days before the fight he was to stop all training except walking and rubbing with towels and hands.”