The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-26
O'DONNELL, A "STIFF."
That Verdict Of Sporting Men Who
Saw Fight With Maher.

Contest at Greater New York Athletic Club
Lasted just Minute and a Half-Win-
ner Issues Challenge to Tom Sharkey.
Brooklyn, December 49, 1t took Peter
Maher just one minute and half in the
first round to send Steve O'Donnell of
Australia down and out this afternoon at
the Greater New York Athletic club at
Coney Island, formerly, the Seaside
Athletic club. The men were matched
to do twenty rounds or more; which
practically meant a finish fight. Maher
saved the management from infringing
on the Horton law by giving the Aus
tralian his quietus with three left hand
punches. IL
Maher sent right handler to the head,
too high to do any damage. O'Donnell's
solitary contribution was a very short
left which opened she battle and barely
grazed Maher's breast.
I. U'Donnell demonstrated very clearly
that he is what is knownEin sporting par
lance as "stiff." He was nervous and
i'll at ease and showed plainly that he
was afraid of the Irishman. Maher
seemed full of confidence and looked in
splendid condition. The betting was not
very lively. Big odds were obtainable
about Peters chance aud there wers few
who were willing to bet on the Aus
tralian.
liminary bout there were not more than
six. hundred people in the building, but
when the big fellows shook hands at 8. 81,
there were fully thirty-five hundred peo-
pie present.
The opening pair were Fred Wright Of
Peabody, Mass, and Jerry Sullivan OF
Brooklyn, who boxed two rounds at 800
pounds. Wright was substituted for Eli
wood -McClosky of Philadelphia. as the
latter was over weight.BThe Peabody boy
displayed unusual cleverness, and after
the fifth had all the best of the battle.
The referee declared Wright the winner.
The principals in the main event then
ot into the ring. After all che prelim.
inaries were adjusted, Tim ekeeper Suter
gave the signal at 8.37.
The men spared for about five seconds.
| Mater's face wore determined express
| sion, while O'Donnell appeared nervous
| and shifted uneasily on his feet. Tte
| A australian thought he saw an opening.
| He shot his left in a half hearted man
ner and just reached Maher's breast Ma
| her swung his left to the head and they
clinohed. While they we're locked to-
gcther they exchanged lefts at close quar-
ters, Msher, showed his right up under
O'Donnell' s arm. The blows were harm
less.
The referee broke them and then Ma
her shot his right to the top of .O'Don-
nell's head. The Australian looked as
tonisIied and drnpped his guard. The
Irishman came in like tiger and sent
his left hand on the jaw. The Australian
stayed down abont four seconds. When
he got on his feet Maher came at him
againawith left handler that was com
bination of hook and swing, and caught
the Australian on the left cheek just
under the eye. O'Donnell went to the
floor with hang, turned over on his
back and was counted out. His second
helped him to the corner and he walked
out of the ring all right after few sec
onds
When Maher landed the final blow he
did not wait to see what ODonneH would
do, but went quietly to his corner Then
he went over and shook hands heartily
with Bill Madden, who announced d
challenge on behalf of Maher to. Tom
Sharkey to fight IL the Greater New
York Athletic club: also if Maher was
successful in that contest that he would
challenge the winner of the orbett-Tltz-
simmons fight. The disgusted crowd
| filed out Of the club house through the
snow, loudly bewailing the expenditures,
varying from two dollars to six Tor a
minute and balf's sport. Il