The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-26
The Australian Forced ia Assume the
Defensive at the start. and Twice
Laid ON the Floor by Blows
BOTH WERE In GOOD CONDITION
But THE BIG FRESHMAN PROVED To
BE THE HARDER HITTER.
Much Enthusiasm Among the Specta-
tors-Fom Sharkey To Try His
Strength with Naher Next.

NEW YORK. Dec. 25.-It took just twen-
ty-seven seconds of time tonight for Peter
Maher the Irish heavyweight pugilist. To
again demonstrate his superiority i'm ring
tactics and hard hitting qualities over
Steve O'Donnell. the Australian boxer. I'm
the arena OF the Greater New York Ath-
letic Club at Coney island. Both men were
i'm excellent condition and trained TO the
hour Both of them were confident. but
Maher's hackers made him a hot favorite
by laying odds ranging from 10 to i on
the Irishman's chances OF winning.
From the outset Maher never left the re-
suit in doubt lie rushed at oDonnel the
moment the referee called time. and ODon-
nell assumed the defensive. The big Aus
tralian led his left for Mahers body. but
the Irishman blocked the blow with his
right-hand glove. Then Maher sent his left
TO the chin, and swung again with his left
on the face. He put o'Donnell to the floor
a second later with a left on the chin, and
after the Australian regained his feet,
Maher landed left smash on the jaw,
following it quickly with a left half hook.
which sent O'Donnell down in a heap.
Steve rolled over on his back i'm a helpless
condition and the referee slowly counted
him out. The big Irishman stood about
twelve feet away from his fallen
opponent while the referee was count
ing off the seconds. and as soon
as the referee Tailed ten a tre-
mendous shout went up from the 100 peo-
pie who watched the brief encounter. and
the band played .The Wearing OF the
Green" i'm honor OF the victor.
Thirteen months ago Maher and O'Don-
nell met at the Empire Athletic Club. Mas
peth. l.. L., and on that occasion Msher
knocked out the Australian i'm sixty-three
seconds. Since that time O'Donnell and his
followers have frequently said that Steve
would not rest content until he had another
try at Peter.
ODonnell was the first TO enter the ring.
He climbed through the ropes at $3.50
o'clock clad in a gray-colored bath robe
His seconds were Sam Fitzpatrick. Billy
Madden. Mike Butler and Gus Rubin. the
Canton (O) giant. When Maher emerged
from his dressing room five minutes later
a cheer went up which shook the building.
AS soon as he got into the ring Maher
bowed his acknowledgements for the warm
welcome extended to him. and he never
looked better i'm his life. He was escorted
by Peter Lowry, OF Dublin: Pete Burns. OF
Harlem. his sparring partner. and Jack
Quinn, of Brooklyn. Maher. when weighed.
O'DonnelI turned the beam at ISL. The men
shook hands at S:46 and Referee Alec
Brown lost no time i'm bringing them to-
gether.
There was a dead silence in the house
when the men put up their fists. and Maher
rushed across the ring almost to O'Don-
nelIs corner. Both SPARED for few sec
onds. and O'Donnell led his left for the
body but Maher blocked the blow with
his right glove. Peter then jabbed his left
hard OH the chin and landed n heavy left
swing on the face. This staggered O'Tsan-
nell and he seemed to be unable IN avoid
Peters rushes. Maher sent O'Donnell to the
floor with a hard left on the chin and the
Australian stayed down four seconds As
soon as ne got to his feet O'Donnell assumed
a defensive attitude. but Peter quickly sent
his left once more the chin. and
O'Donnell was falling he caught him
quickly with "a left half hook. knocking the
Australian down and out. ODonnell was
counted out according to the rules. and
Sam Fitzpatrick and Madden assisted by
Lowery. carried him TO his corner.
As soon as IL was seen that the Irishman
had won a tremendous shout went up. and
the spectators rose as one man TO their
feet, and hats. caps and umbrellas We're
thrown into the air The official timer
told the announcer that the time OF the
contest was ninety seconds. but John j.
Quinn. Of Pittsburg, who was keeping time
for Maher. well many others. who
held watches on the contest. declare the
actual time TO be twenty-sevcn seconds.
Before the spectators left the house IL
was announced that i'm all probability the
next contest TO be brought of i'm the
Greater New York Club would be between
Peter Maher and Tom Sharkey. Maher
will leave for Pittsburg tomorrow. and to-
morrow night will spar with Joe Choynski
at that place.