The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-07
PETER MAHER'S VIEWS
An Autograph Letter From the
Heavyweight Pugilist.
CONFIDENT OF DEFEATING F1rz.

Says He Has Prontsd by Past Experiences
In the Ring-Assures the Public That
1t VIII BE Swift and Hard Battle.
His Plans For the Future.
1t is In no spirit of self Qualification, but
simply that of earnest conviction, that I
say wish I were as suro ola fortune as I
am OF 0efenting Bob FitzsiInmons for the
worlds championship in Mexico on Feb.
IA.
IL ID conceded on oil sides that the win
ner OF that baltic will be tho champion
pugilist of tho world beyond oavil, and I
am delighted ut tho opportunity afforded
me TO win TINT proud distinction. I want
no presents, and although it was very kind
or MIR. Corbett to relinquish the title in
my favor Immediately after my defeat of
MS sparring partner, Steve O'Donnell,
would rather fight for 1t than obtain 1t by
forfeit or gift. Thnt Is tho way every great
gladiator from the days of Tom Cribb and
Dan Donnelly down to those of tho re-
nowned John l.. Sullivan attained that
proud eminonce and that is tho way want
to got thore. To emulate tho example of
the great Bostonian is my highest ambi-
ton.
IL is not In any spirit of egotism That /
preulct That will conquer tho big Aus
trallan 1t is simply tho expression of
confidence born OF conviction. Whom Fitz-
simmons defeated me in our first engage
mont was big, strong fellow, to DO sure.
Dut moro novice in tho art of boxing. /
was hardly moro than boy and had but
tho most elementary knowledge of tho
game OF stop, hit and get away, My idca
was simply to "get thero'' as quickly rs
could with my right and parry q blow
occasionally. Even ut that 1 had Fitz
nearly out In tho first round, but did not
know enough to tako advantage of poInts
had gained. also made the mistake of
sparrlng him Mt long range after that
round lnstond of getting In to him and
nghtlng ut close quarters He was cleyorer
ana shiftier thnn at that time and Mt
iong range woro INC out, something which
nc was enabled tho moro readily to do MS
was utterly out of condition. Upon that
scoro however, l mako no excuse.
Should have boon In condition, and 1t is
my own fault that was not.
now matters nro changed Ihavo stud
leu tho science of pugilism pretty carefully
since those Days and flattor myself TINT
know few points about tho game. Com
;petonU Critics upon bot6--Ssi.Qes of tho At-
lantic have been kind enough to shy that
havo VASTLY improved" and tho news
sion of my recent tour there declared that
had mastered what they call the yankee
waltz, )" or side step, in which James j.
Corbett was so remarkably skillful
Another thing-I am n far healthier
and stronger man than when I first met
FftZsimmons. 1 am now always in the
best OF condition, which was not in those
days. l neither rso tobacco nor malt OF
spirituous liquors. l realized some timo
ago that u pugilist could not DO n hail fol-
low well met and gay man about town
and attain the highest rung Of tho ladder,
or perchance If ho reached that height STAY
there.
know that Fitz is extremely clever,
shifty, tricky and hard hitter, but that
does not impair my confidence a particle.
I am perfectly on to his style OF boxing
and have him pretty woll sized up. 1
don't think his great skill will keep mo
from getting In on him, and carly at tho
gamo at that. Frank Craig, tho Coffee
Cooler, is conceded by all critics to DO OK
cocdingly shifty and clever, and had 10
trouble i'll getting to him quickly So,
too, with George Godfrey. Old Chocolate
WAS clovor enough topuzzlo the best of the
boys, but got TO him before six rounds
were over, and last, but not least, Steve
O'Donncll, who was counted tho clovorest
of the big fellows, with tho possible OK
ccption of Corbott-I had no trouble in
disposing of him In less than half round
With these precedents before me I natu-
rally think will get to Fitz, clever rs he
Is. make no secret of my plan of action,
rs some of the boys do. will got to the
Australian rs quickly as can. I do not
mean to repeat my former mistake and