Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 100000
S SID FLIGHTS. 8
9 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. q
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Peter Maher Gives His Views on the


The many champion pugilists are
from time to time telling the public
about the kind of a knockout blow they
prefer to use on their opponents, and
Peter Maher can't resist the opportun-
ity to "butt in"
However, Peter varies the monotony
of the conversation, because he does
not dwell on the kind of blow that he
uses to knock people out with, but on
the contrary, is very decided about the
kind of blow he wants them to use on
him.
Peter is not an expert in administer
ing the knockout blow, but he is a past
master in receiving it. Whenever
some fellow gets on glove and makes
an unusually vicious swing, Peter in
variably happens along just In time to
bump up against it.
Peter says: III 1.
I know Of no one better qualified to
discuss the Knockout blow than I. " No
fighter has ever had a chance to make
a closer study of it.
1t is amusing to see men like Jim
Jeffries posing as experts. What does
he know about a Knockout? The man
who merely administers sleep-produc-
ers is unable to describe them. 1t is
the man who has gone down and out
most often who can best tell the effect
of the various blows. No living boxer
equals me in this kind of experience.
Unlike Mr.. Jeffries, who approves
the stomach punch, prefer the knock
out on the jaw. The latter makes II
difficult to bite for a few days, but BY
subsisting on liquid food it is soon
easy to forget. The stomach punch
deranges the digestion, and leaves last
ing effects.
I have another reason for preferrin1
the jaw Knockout blow. 1t give
chance for a. more graceful fall. The
blow in the stomach or under the heart
usually doubles "a man up and brings
| a look of pain to the face. He is likely
to grovel around the ring with his
hands pressed to his stomach like a
man suffering from cramps.
This kind of blow is very inartistic.
and it's appearance of brutality makea
| it offensive to the delicate susceptible
ties Of boxing patrons. 1t was with
such crude punch that Bob Fitzsim-
mons stopped Jim Corbett at Carson
City.
The blow to the jaw is picturesque.
| 1t comes so suddenly that one doesn't
have time to look hurt. The arms can
be flung into wild curves, the body falls
at full length, like that OF a tragedian
III lie ietSl act, 1uu LIE SliLAl pclloIill-
ance is satisfying to the eye, to the
| crowd, and to the boxer who cashes In
the winners end of the purse. have
even seen occasions where the loser
didn't complain.
Picking out the right place to fall is
also an art.
1 always try the canvas before the
bout starts, to find If there are any
soft places where the padding is thick
enough to save the head from bump,
| Baldheaded fighters like myself will
find this a valuable precaution.
1t is also a good idoea not too fall too
close to the sides of the ring, where
the spectators can examine you. The
eyes should be kept tightly closed while
| the referee tolls off the fatal ten, and
the body allowed to hang limp as the
seconds carry you to your corner.
These suggestions may sem trifiins
in Importance, but the neglect of any
one Of them may start cry of fake.
Above all, to Withstand knock outs
without damage to the reputation one
must be champion.
I have held two titles without wins
ming either. Corbett gave me one when
he decided to retire and picked me out
as his successor. Fitz took this from
me in Mexico.
But the other title is mine
for all time. 1t is the one thing in the
world which is sure. 1t is my birth
right. My mother gave it to me when
she chose the old sod as her home. No
one can take it from me. Champions
may come and champions may go, bat
| ties may be won and lost may b(
knocked out six times week, but as
Hong as I can pull on a glove will re-
main.-Peter Maher. G. T. G.