The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-14

the big Irishman, and several times a
deal has been almost closed between
them, but something always happened to
spoil the agreement. Just at present it
looks as though matters may be brought
to a climax, and the brawny Celt and
black giant consent to don the gloves for
twenty-iive-round argument.
A fight between these men should prove
an excellent drawing card. Maher on ac-
count of his extreme aggressiveness is al
ways a favorite with ring followers and
the tall black has usually given a good
account Of himself whenever he has put
up his hands in ring. OF the two,
Armstrong Is the most scientific boxer.
He possesses a long rangy left that can
do good work on OCCASIONS and is fairly
shifty on his feet. Like many other
clever boxers, however, Armstrong works
better in training quarters than in the
ring. It is said that in his daily bouts
with Sharkey, when the latter was Il
member of O'Rourke's stable, he more
than held his own with the husky sailor,
outhghting him at all points, and even
holding his own when mixing at close
quarters, Sharkey's favorite style of war
fare. How Armstrong would figure
against the sailor in a ring is another
question. 1t is altogether probable that
he would forget most of his cleverness
in a genuine contest with the hardy tar
for whom he has always entertained a
wholesome respect not entirely unmixed
with fear.
Maher is such an inconsistent performer
that it would be a difficult task to pro-
phesy just what would happen We're he
to stack up against Armstrong. The man
from Galway may fight champion one
night and the next go down and out
before q third rater. Most of his defeats
in the ring have been brought about by
sheer lack of confidence on the part OF
the Celt.
Let him entertain the least fear of an
adversary and he is virtually whipped
before he enters the ring. But with the
assurance strong in his mind that he can
best an opponent, Peter will fight like a
Wildcat and rush his man relentlessly
from start TO finish. Maher was never
good uphill fighter. Even in the ealIy
part of his career in the ring when box
ing as an amateur in Ireland, he has been
known to pull the gloves off in disgust
when opposed to a clever boxer on whom
he found it impossible to land. A touch
of faint-heartedness has always been
present in his makeup, and Is In evi
dence TO the present day But it is not
likely that Maher Is In the slightest de-
gree afraid Of Armstrong. On form he Is
very much the superior of the negro
pugilist and with that consolation to
cheer him. should not have much trouble
In disposing of his prospective opponent
il they ever cross arms in the squared
circle.
Judging from the poor showing made
by Matty Matthews against Jack Bennett
in a six-round bout in Philadelphia one
night last week, good many of the
hstic fans prophesy an easy victory for
Rube Ferns over the redoubtable Matty
when they meet at Detroit on Oct. l6.
Still 1t should be remembered that as no
decision can be given in the Quaker City,
Matthews may have held himself in re-
| serve somewhat, and declined to take
chances by going after his opponent in
aggressive style. So long as he managed
! to stay the six rounds scheduled no de-
| feat could be chalked up against him
Fully aware of this fact, and having in
/ view his coming engagement with the
welterweight champion, Matthews In all
likelihood played safety, and refused tc
: run the risk of njuring his hands by
! swinging those useful members In injudi-
/ cious fashion at Benefits hard head
/ This seems to be the most plausible eX
| PLANTATION Of Matty's mediocre exhibition
ought to trim Bennett with comparative
same class as the Buffalonian Matthews
| was badly beaten by Ferns in their las
battle, and unless the recent Illness of the
Kansas RUDE has affected the latter.
stamina he ought to carry off the win.
4 ners end In the second trial. Ferns ha:
/ been coming steadily along the line dur