The morning call., 1892-02-12
FISTIC SPORT.
Record Of Peter Maher, the Irish
Champion.
The San Francisco Athletic Clubs Monthly
Amateur Contests-The Smith and
Keller Fight-Tom Barry.

The San Francisco Athletic Club will give
its monthly amateur entertainment on the
18th inst. The wndup will consist of six
round "go" between the clever boxers Jack
Coffey and Jim Burke.
Unless Billy Smith should feel disposed
TO prolong the contest which will take place.
at the California Club on the ODD inst
between him and Keller, the members will
not have to wait long for "a conclusion.
Keller, big, strong fellow, Is the most
ungainly pug that has appeared in the ring
for months. He is a windfall for the
Australian, who can play tattoo on
Keller's nose until such time as the latter
will wisely conclude to partake of gentle
sleep on the cold, cold carpet, which has
protected many puglllsts skull from nara
knocks.
Billy Patterson and Young Miller. the
Swede, who defeated Dunnigan at the Call
fornia Club n few weeks ago, have been
matched by the MADEIRA Athletic CLUB.
The contest will take place during the lat
ter part of the month.
A FIRE CAPTAIN.
Tom Barry, an old-time pugilist, who is
now captain Of the AnacOrtes Washington
Fire Company, was presented recently with
a handsome cane, bearing the inscription,
ITO Tom Barry from Anac0Ttes Hose Com
panv No. ., A. +. D."
The Pastime Club has made final prepa-
ratiOns for its contest this evening. The
ring has been improved and the seating
capacity enlarged. A coed evenings sport
is promised.
The first game of football between the
Berkeley University team and the Olympic
Club team will take place tomorrow at
Central Park. A close contest is expected.
The near-future battle between Peter
Maher and Bob FitZSimmonS is attracting
q prnad int the gnOTtS Of
Eastern cities where hstic contests are toll
Grated. FitZSimmOns is well known in this
city, and any mention of his past career
would be only q repetition CT what has
been reported time and again. There is,
however very little known of Maher, and
short sketch of his life will interest large
number of people who fancy istic sports:
THE IRISH CHAMPION
Maher was born at Tuam. County Gal
way, Ireland, and from there he jOurneyed,
when quite a child, to Dublin, the Irish
capital When mere child Peter showed
a decided inclination for the pugilistic art,
and, availing himself OF what few oppor-
tuuIties came in his way. he soon gained
reputation for skill and determination, the
standard of the former In Dublin, how
ever, not being very exalted. lie Is
now in his twenty fourth year, stands
as nearly as possible feet ia inches,
and when he went into work for his
engagement with q. Lambert scaled twelve
stone two and a bali pounds. To sketch
his fiStic encounters 1t may first be said that
he learned his early lessons at the North
City Gymnasium in Dublin, and here he was
not long before he was at 1.-THE head Of the
school," and made his debut In public at
the Rotunda, where he defeated two OPP
p0nents, one, a solder named Collins, being
an undoubtedly good man. Maher was at
this period mere stripping, tall, lathy and
minus anything like muscular Development
KNOCKED OUT.
However, so well did he acQuit himself
that he was COunSeled TO try his hand at the
English championships, and after winning
two heats in good style, he succumbed in
the final to Hair, who in his class was a rare
boxer After this Maher tackled Seenan OF
Belfast a man who was very highly APP
praised by the keen northern division. They
met at the Dublin ROtunda, and in the
course Of the combat an amusing incident
occurred. A portion Of Makers costume
became disarranged, and Seenan, taking
advantage of Peters concern. went for him
at once. This reused the big devil in
Maher, who not caring about the state OF
his dress, fairly plunged into the Belfast
man, and sent him TO sleep with few
terrific thrusts. As may be imagined, Peter
was loudly applauded, not less for the pluck
be displayed than that he should have re-
PEELED what was considered such an unfair
advantage taken by his competitor. When
JODn Il. DulilN al NloltGu DuUltUs nlahbA tOUh
part in competition then progressing, and
acquitted himself successfully, and his con-
sequent displays are of little account until
Mr.. Tony Sage. SO widely known and
greatly respected. took him in hand
SOMETHING TO DO.
Maber had been lying idle, and itched for
something to DO, and about July last Mr..
Sage told him he thought he could provide
him with a job. Maher met Mr.. Sage at
the Sport Office one fine Saturday afternoon,
and when he heard that il was possible
match could be arranged for him with Aft
Bowman his delight seemed unbounded.
The match was duly arranged, and on
Wednesday, August 27 during the progress
of the Great National Horse Fair, the
men met at the AubeTt concert rooms,
Great Brunswick street, Dublin. Those
who have witnessed scores OF such
affairs sad that a more perfectly managed
one never came under their notice, and so
that the English division should not have
anything to grumble about regarding the
officials, Mr.. Robert Watson Of the Sporting
Life acted as referee, on the nomination Of
the editor OF Sport, While his Grace the
Duke Of Manchester. held the watch. OF
| this contest it need only be said that Maher
| did for Bowman in six rounds Peter then
| had nothing on hand, and from September,
when the COursing season opened, he hardly
| missed a meeting. being devOtedly attached
| t. the sport, as well as to Gaelic football,
in which it was his custom to show every
| Sunday.
ONLY ONE ROUND.
Maher was next matched with Peter Fam
| bert of Canada, who went to Europe to
conquer. The fight lasted but one round,
| Lambert being knocked completely out
Maher was then sent to this country, and
| since his advent here has downed the fol-
| owing men:
October q, 1891. defeated Bubbles Davis,
| two rounds.
October "A, 1891, defeated James DAILY
| one round.
October31, 1891, defeated Jack Fallon, two
! rounds.
| December II. 1891, defeated Sailor Brown
| and Jack Smith. both within four rounds.
| January Is. 1892, defeated Joe Godfrey,
| one round.
"JUST FOR A LARK"