The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-20

lin anu iasuf secured employment IA .
brewery, where heavy lifting developed
his muscles. He worked for a very small
salary, and his clothes did not ft him very
well, but he could smash boards with his
big fists and fight like a catamount. One
day he found 1t necessary to thrash the
terror Of Dublin, and tho next day he
came forth with a battered face and a
reputation as q boxer. He also had the air
OF quiet confidence which is noticeable
about him today, and he's been wearing
good clothes ever since, with little to do
but cultivate his sledge hammer fists and
study how 10 put an opponent to sleep for
ten seconds. His study has amounted TO
something, for he is now the Irish cham
pion.
After he whipped the terror he entered
Tony Sage's amateur competitions in the
round room in the rotunda in Sackvillo
street, Dublin. The first man he boxed
with was j. Il. Sullivan, who was 8 feet
In height and weighed about 1876 pounds.
Sullivaa WAS announced as tho middle
weight champion of Ireland, but he was a
beaten man in three rounds. An hour lat.
er Martin O'Hara, a six footer, went
against Maher. One round was enough
for him. He made a claim to the referee
hAstt W. AAAN " tAAtAAt III lie IlEul
glove. BY this time Maher had gained
quite a local reputation, and efforts were
made TO bring about u meeting between
him and "A professional named Jim O'Do-
herty. They fought six rounds in Dublin,
and the police stopped the bout, but not
before O'Doherty was practically a beaten
Peter then ens red a Tournament in
London and beat three mon in the pre-
liminaries. In the finals Bob Hair met
him They spared three rounds, and Hair
was given the decision. Maher had a de-
cided advantage, and in the judgment Of
many spectators IL was a clear case Of rob-
berry.
ALI Bowman OF London challenged Ma
her early in 1850, and they fought in Dub
lin for $3.50 "a side. Bowman was knocked
out in the sixth round This victory gave
Maher some standing as a pugilist, for
Bowman Vas considered "a good second
class man.
When Gus Lambert went to England,
Charley Mitchell took hold OF him and
backed him for $500 against the Dublin
boxer. Lambert weighed nearly 200 pounds
and was the fayorite In the betting when
the men faced each other at the Pelican
club Feb. :, 1891. Maher took about five
seconds 10 size up his man. Then he sail
ed in viciously and knocked Lambert down
four times in rapid succession. Tho last
dow effectively settled the Canadian. The
fight lasted 90 seconds.
Billy Madden, tho discoycrer Of so many
great boxers, thought Maher was a com
ing man n brought him TO America Oct.
z, 1891. soon after blaher's arrival tho
young Irishman easily defeated such in
ferior men rs Bubbles Davis, Jim DAILY,
Jack Lynch, Joe Godfrey, Sailor Brown,
Jack Smith and Jack Falion. His perform
anco I'm Madison Square Garden knock
ing out two men In less than three min
utcs-was n feat which would havo been
considered wonderful even II John i. SUI
Ivan himself had accomplished it. IL took
Peter Jackson three rounds 10 whip Sailor
Brown, one of the men. Madden then suc-
occded In raising a So, 600 forfeit 10 match
Mahor against sullivan for double that
amount, but the challenge only caused
mirth. Nahcr had never defeated a first
class man and was hardly considered in
Sullivan's class. Sullivan would not meet
him, and Peter looked aboR for less pre-
tentious game. lie found it in the person
Of Boil F!tzsimmons.
The Olympic club OF New Orleans PUT
M q $40, 600 purse, aud the men met
March 2, 1899. Fitzsimmons weighed l65
pounds, and Mahcr was l3 pounds heavier.
Mahcr chose the unlucky corner In the
ring, but was confident he could whip tho
middlcwcight chauSion. in tho first
round they went at IL In hammer and
tongs style. Fitzsimnsons knocked Maher
down with "a right on tho jaw, and toward
the end Of the round Mahcr landed n ter
rife blow that knocked Fitzsimmons down
and almost out. Makers friends have
since claimed that lie had Fitz almost
whipped, but, owing to lack OF ring expo
ricucc, did not know enough 60 go in and
finish his man. At the end Of the round
both men wero SO groggy that they were
carried 60 their corners. During the re-
mninder Of the battle Mahcr was plainly
outclasscd, and In tho twelfth round he
quit. Another round would have finished
him.
After this battle Maher was generally
regarded as terrific hitter, but asa pugil-
lat who had little science and WIN would