The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-02

NEW YORK, jar. 1.-The young Indiana
plgilist known TO the ring as kid Nc
Coy" but whose real name is Norman Sel-
by, surprised crowd OF 5000 spectators at
the coney Island Sporting Club this after
noon by knocking out Peter Maher of Ire
land. in the fifth round There was never
!, period when Maher classed with his Cp-
ponent in scientific methods although at
one time it seemed probable that Mccoy
might give way before the ragged assau
and heavy hitting of the I.ishrran. Built
up in weight until he scaled at about 17S
pounds, Mccoy showed vast improvement
over his previous form. lie was wonder
fully clever both in landing blows aud in
defensive tactics, and at every stage OF the
battle he showed that his brains had
mapped out the affair before he entered the
ring.
Maher weighed iS7 pounds, and was dan
gerous up to the time that he was stopped
with q left-hand swing on the jaw. But lie
could not land any of his tremendous
smashes upon the vital spot. That was
McCoy's game from the very start. He
knew that Maher was terrific hitter, but
he figured that if he could avoid the irish
man long enough he would be abe 10 beat
him with a sharp. clean. powerful smash.
The Knockout came at an unexpected
moment 1t was after Maher had been in
dulging in fierce attack and had shown
increasing strength all through the fourth
round and the beginning OF the hfth- but
a couple of quick smeshes stopped the
Irishmans onslaught. and then came an
opening for McCoy's !eft. which TOOK the
money. Maher was a disappointment IN
every round no matter how hard ne
worked There was 10 doubt about ms
hitting ability. but he was outclassed In
science. Mccoy fought him necessarily
with the left. which Maher was unable to
stop, whether it was aimed al his face or
his stomach Mccoy furnished an addi-
tional surprise by outpunching Aaher in
several miN-ups but that was because he
was more accurate with his blows, while
Peter wasted many.
Mnher Seemed Puzzled.
Maber acted at the start as il he was
either puzzled or afraid. He was fioored
in the opening round before he had begun
to fight Mccoy hit him in the mouth with
a left. and the Irishman sat down hard.
He was not hurt in body so much as in
mind. for from that time on he undoubtedly
realized that. instead of having an easy
mark in front OF him, he had hard-hitting
proposition. On various occasions Mccoy
by virtue of his footWork and defensive
tactics. made his opponent look like
novice Even when Maher was rushing
his man all around the ring. throwing in
his hardest blows. Mccoy never lost his
head. and protected himself with phenoIn-
enal skill Maher did not land more than
a dozen hurtful blows in the whoe affair,
although he probably aimed a hundred
smashes at the Indiana boy.
Mccoy had no trouble in punching Maher
whenever he felt like il, and he made al
most every punch tell. Maher's face was
battered into bruises at an early stage, and
beth of his eyes were puffed perceptibly.
Mccoy showed superb judgment as 10 dis
tance very few of his swings getting be-
yond the neck or the side of the head, while
Maher was wild on repeated occasions, nu-
merous blows flying harmiessly past Nc
Coyis head or missing him by more than
foot.
When Maher was finally fioored for the
last time he was not unconscious. He saw
everything that vas going on around him
and looked straight into the face Of Referee
Charley White. as the latter counted of the
ten seconds. He was carried to his corner.
but as he was not out by any means. in
the estimation of many an impression was
created that Peter quit Whether he did or
not is not matter of great importance,
for If he had gotten upon his feet Mccoy
would probably have finished him with an
other punch.
For crafty shrewd. heady fighting. Nc
Coy certainly must receive credit. He put
up a much better argument than he dig
sgains; Sharkey lest winter, and showed
such vast improvement that il he meets
the sailor again he will probably carry a
ton OF money placed upon him by men who
bet on glove contests. AS it is, Mccoy has
advanced well into the heavy weight class
by reason OF his Increased weight and by
defeating SO decisively pugilist of Maher's
ability he has earned the right to a match
with either Shar.ey or Jeffries.
There was not much difference between
them as TO height and reach. Maher was
undoubtedly heavier and in first-class
trim, but McCoy's appearance was an
agreeable surprise. He was bulkier than
ever, and yet his body and limbs were
drawn into magnificent shape.
The Fight BY Rounds.
First rouna-McCoy tried : couple of
lefts for the body. Both were short Sud-
denly dashing into the Irishman, Mccoy
whipped q straight left flush upon the
mouth Msher was breaking ground and
the blow sent him over backwards TO a
sitting posture. McCcy rushed again with
another left for the Jaw, but it was block
ed. and Maher swung left and right wildly
for the head. and then steadying himself
piled into Mccoy with vigorous rush
McCoy's leg work enabled him TO get oui
of the way. Once more Maher attacked
but as Mccoy side-stepped again. Petel
stumbled over upon his hands and knees
Upon arising MaEer rushed into solic
clinch. and on the breakaway McCo,
hooked his left around under the ear ant
then shot in two staight jabs to the nose
The Irishman rushed Mccoy to the ropes
and drove in both hands hard TO the ribs
Mccoy drove his left to the stomach anC
then glided away from another series o.
swings.
Second round-Maher resumed his rush
ing tactics and showed his tremendous hit
ting power. With right and left swing
Maher chased the Hoosier into a corner
where Mccoy Ciinched Mccoy had fre
hand and raped Peter on the ear. The
broke Maher landed his left high up OF
The check bone. 1t was a powerful smash
vet Peter found Mccoy ready to mil
it with him. Maher's punches. however
=ere much more powerful. and McCo,
clinched. On the breakaway be received
a solid knock on the side of the head. Nc
Coy worked Peter around toward a corner
and. with a lightning left hook clean upol
the Jaw sent the Irishman down on al
ours. The Irishman took count from
che referee, and when the ninth secon,
was called he arose with unsteady legs
Mccoy quickly discovered that Maher wa
stu strong. The irishman rushed McCo
TO the ropes. With right on the jaw b.
shook Mccoy and the latter clinched
They were parted by the referee and