Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-16
SOME PUGILISTIC GOSSIP Peter Maher Is the Athlete ot
 the Hour. READY TO MEET ALL COVERS What Sporting Men Has to Say of the Cham ponship Bestowed Upon Him
 by Corbett

New York, Nov. 15-Champion Peter Maher is the athlete of the hour. Every where in sporting circles the Irish pugl- lists brilliant victory over Steve 0Don- nell in record-breaking time was dis cussed and nothing but words of praise were bestowed upon Maher for his clever work. The prevailing opinion was that the good natured Irishman was equal to the task of defeating either Fftzsimmons or Corbett in a contest of skill and endur- ance under Marquis of Queensberry rules.
 The action of Corbett in announcing his retirement from the ring and crown ing Maher king of all pugilists caused considerable comment Corbett's friends justified his position by pointing to the latter's experience in Texas and Arkan- jsas, showing that no fight can take place in this country in which the retired champion figures as a principal. On the other hand there were others who said that Corbetts move was a clever. ruse to avoid a fight with Maher and they criticised him severely.
 Whether those who espouse the cause of Corbett or those who condemn it are right, the fact remains that Peter Maher dn the eyes of the public is the champion heavy weight pugilist of the world, Cor belt having given the title to the cham Ipion.
 Maher has accepted the title, but is not satisfied with the empty distinction conferred upon him. He wants to de- fend it, and is prepared, he says, to fight any man in the world who disputes his claim to the championship.
 He expresses a preference for Goddard and Fitzsimmons, they being the only fighters who ever defeated him.
 Opinions About Maher.
 When asked his opinion of MaheEs ability as fighter and Corbett's action in presenting the championship to the Irishman, "Phip' Dwyer said:
 "Maher is a great fighter. He has i'm proved wonderfully since his first ap- pearance in a ring contest in this coun- try, and no pugilist can afford to take liberties with him. He is a terrific and much more scientific hitter than most persons give him credit for. A man who can defeat O'Donnell in forty-four sec onds of actual fighting time is certainly a great pugilist When Maher came to this country he knew nothing about the game of boxing, but, novice though he was at the time he fought Fitzsimmons. he had him beaten had he followed his advantage. Taking his lack of eXperi- ence into consideration then and noting his improvement now, I think he will make things very unpleasant for Fitz if he ever meets him.
 'As to Corbetts action in awarding the championship to Maher, I don't think it is right. If Corbett has retired, he has forfeited the championship. Maher and Fitz should fight for it, the winner to be the champion. Maher cannot honestly claim the title until he has defeated Fitzsimmons."
 Jim" Hall. the middle weight pugilist, said:
 TNtk Corbett. I have met them all and think I am we'll qualified to express an intelli- gent opinion. Peter is unquestionably the hardest hitter in the ring today, and very clever sparrer. He could always hit hard, but he lacked science and ex- perience. Now that he Is well versed in the last two departments he is invinci- ble. When I fought Maher everybody said 1t was fake That statement did Maher and myself great injustice. The truth of the matter is that Maher sur prised me so much by his cleverness and hitting force that he had me in trouble in the second round, and my clumsy efforts Ito save myself from the humilati ton of knockout may have given the affair peculiar appearance"
 Nobody knows better than I how hard Maher can hit for my head was covered with big bumps at the end. Corbett. I believe, had a perfect right to present Maher with the championship. He won 1t fairly and squarely. and as his prop erty he could present 1t to any man who in his judgment, was capable of defend- ing 1t successfully"
 "Sam" Fitzpatrick, manager of "Kid" Iavigne. said:
 "Maher's victory over O'DonneIl dem onstrated that he is wonderful fighter and he will be hard nut for Fitzsim- mons to crack. True, Fitz beat Maher but that does not figure to any extent When the Australian met Peter the lat her was only a green boy, whose knowl- edge of boxing was very limited. At that time he could have beaten Fitz if he had known enough to follow up his advan- tage. Maher will certainly be recognized as champion now. Nobody should ques- tion Corbett's right to turn the cham pionship over to the Irishman. It was the Californian's prerogative to make a present of the title to any man capable of defending the title, and no man posted on pugillstic matters will dispute the wis., dom of Corbett's selection"
 George Morgan. the bookmaker. and