Goddard (the Australian) v. Maher.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 131, 26 January 1893, Page 6

Goddard (the Australian) v. Maher.

There was never a good fight in America that caused less betting than that of December 8, at the Coney Island Athletic Club between Joe Goddard, the unbeaten and alleged champion of the Barrier, and Peter Maher, called the Irish champion. Such bets as were made varied from 2 to i to 5 to 4, with Goddard always the favourite. The fight was as fierce as it was short. The scene at the end of the first round, when it appeared that Maher might possibly win, was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in a prize ring. For the short time it lasted it was one of the bloodiest and fiercest battles on record. Goddard was covered with blood from almost the first blow. He lacked science, but he was much the stronger

man, the difference in weight in his favour badly handicapping Maher. It was 9.40 o’clock when Joe Goddard, wearing around his trunk the colours that the Columbia Athletic Club of New York had presented him, appeared in the ring. Jim Gibbons, of Passaic, N.J. ; Billy Madden, Alexander Greggains, of San Francisco ; and Lou Morris, of the Columbia Athletic Club, were behind him. Maher’s handlers were Jack McVey, of Philadelphia, Corbett’s former co-worker ; Buffalo Costello, Greggains’ recent opponent ; Jimmy Carroll, of Brooklyn, and Jimmy M’Grath, of Dublin. Maher wore green trunks. The weights of the men were given out officially as—Maher, 1751 b; Goddard, 1871 b. Maher probably weighed rBolb, and Goddard 1951 b. Maher won the toss for the choice of gloves, and there was another roar that showed what a favourite the Irishman was with the mass of the spectators. John Eckhardt was the referee, and Bob Stoll, of the New York Athletic Club, held the watch. The fight by rounds is as follows : —

Round 1. —It was lightning work from the very start. The men went at it hammer and tongs, slash and crash, with Maher the scienced man, and Goddard only a bull-dog. The blows were all for the head. Few body blows were struck, two or three being given by Goddard. Maher went to his knees once, but got up, and tried it again, but it was no go. Goddard landed on him with right and left missing many times, but getting there often enough. Round 2 —There was more punishing and smashing. Maher got in two tremendous blows on Goddard’s face, staggering the Australian each time. Goddard looked a bit groggy after two rights on the cheek, but he clung to his meat with tenacity, and smashed the Irishman on the ribs three times before he let go. Then Maher fell to his knees again, and stayed down for four seconds, his head shaking like a leaf. He jumped up, however, and went at Goddard again. He got in a blow on the breast and Goddard fell back to the ropes. Maher ran after him, but swung his right wildly. Instead of touching the Barrier man on the jaw, he went away beyond his ear. Goddard dashed at Maher and gave him a fierce blow on the breast. The Irishman fell back under its effect, and the bell sounded before Goddard could land again.

It had been a tremendous round. Both men had worked apparently for a knockout blow, Goddard in his heavy and strong style, Maher in a form that showed little of the neatness that he had displayed in New York for weeks after his arrival from Ireland.

On coming out from their corners for the third round Maher looked tired and Goddard surly. Goddard made a lead for the breast, and was neatly stopped. Maher let go his right, but swung wide. Maher tried the same thing again, and this time caught Goddard on the ear, though the blow was not hard Goddard seemed maddened. He dashed at Maher, and with his right and left cracked him hard on both sides of the head. Maher’s legs began to wobble, and Goddard dealt him a stiff punch on the neck. Maher went down, never to rise again in that battle. Ten seconds were counted, and Maher was still on the floor, the final blow having been administered fifty seconds from the beginning of the round When Peter did not get up he was helped to his corner by many hands, none more willing than those of Billy Madden, who went over from Goddard’s corner to assist his whilom protege. Maher did not seem to be much done up by the experience he had gone through, nor did he appear to be especially pained mentally. Perhaps he did not comprehend that he had been whipped, but, anyhow, he smiled complacently when told that it was all over.

Goddard was pretty well winded when the show was over. He had some very fast rounds. Probably no man—noteven Choynski—had ever given him such a crack as that which sent him against the ropes in the second round.