The Uncrowned Champ: Peter Maher's Travesty

[HomicideHenry]

Behind the legendary Peter Jackson and HW champion 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett at the turn of the 20th century,it can be argued that the best tactician in the HW division was Peter Maher.

The native of Galway, Ireland can also be said to have been the better
fighter than 'Sailor' Tom Sharkey, who usually gets praise as Ireland's greatest HW boxer of all time. Sharkey was brutish, strong and dirty, throwing everything short of an iron maiden at his opponents, while Maher could do wonders with a jab and quick silver combinations, all the while packing some power behind his punches.

How can you argue, really, when Maher disposed the likes of Steve O'Donnell, Jim Hall, Peter Courtney, George Godfrey, Joe McAuliffe, Denver Ed Smith, Jim Daly...

All them were main players in the division, then throw in how Maher faced both Fitzsimmons (lost by KO12th) and Jackson (lost by KO2nd) when he was a novice, you can pratically assume than the Irishman wasnt shy in selecting his opponents irregardless if they were black or white, accomplished or not. Then throw in the fact he was both the Irish MW and HW champion.

In 1895, champion Jim Corbett "retired" and gave the title to Peter Maher.

Whether Maher deserved it or not, is really to no interest, but he became the first real title claimer under the Marquis of Queensbury rules (least in the HW division). With that, Maher disposed of Steve O'Donnell in his first defense, and then was flattened stiff by Bob Fitzsimmons in less than a round. This result ended in the "comeback" of Jim Corbett who insisted he was the true champion still, considering Maher never won the title from him...what resulted next was Fitzsimmons kayoing Corbett in the 14th round with the most famous body punch in history.

After the Fitzsimmons loss, Maher defeated Frank (Paddy) Slavin and the likes of Joe Choynski, Steve O'Donnell (an additional four more times), drew Tom Sharkey although he beat him round for round, Joe Goddard (the two both split a win) and then destroyed the enormous Ed Dunkhorst...throw in wins over Gus Ruhlin, Joe Kennedy...

and his career was essentially done, as he lost to Kid McCoy, Joe Choynski, Gus Ruhlin, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, George Gardnier, Marvin Hart, and Jeff Clark, to name a few.


But then again, even "washed up", he only lost to the main men in the sport or to men who were either contenders in the Negro leagues or in other divisions; his prime was rather short in a career that spanned from 1888 to 1910, but it can be stated that he more than deserved a genuine title shot against Corbett and Fitzsimmons. Whether he would have won the actual title can be argued, but I believe he would have had a greater chance at beating the likes of Corbett than Fitzsimmons.

Ireland's only "World HW Champion", Peter Maher.



My Personal List of ATG Irish HW's:

Tom Sharkey- Though not as great a boxer as Maher, he undoubtedly was the early 20th century's version of Rocky Marciano (though a poor man's version) and was Jim Jefferies toughest opponent.

Peter Maher [see thread]

Jim Coffey- "The Roscommon Giant" might very well have been one of the better "white hopes" during the Jack Johnson era, and was certainly the better, tougher European challenger than "Bombardier" Billy Wells would have been.

Jem Roche- Fought for the HW title against Tommy Burns, and received one of the fastest KO losses in the history of the HW division, but was a solid HW contender and Irish champion for many years.

[Cap]

Interesting. Maher is generally regarded as a seek-and-destroy type of fighter. If you don't knock me out I'll knock you out. He had a bit of a weak beard, but was a good combinations puncher with tremendous kayo power.

Cap

[HomicideHenry]

I agree, and it was that type of style and attitude, combined with his power and skill, that genuinely made him one of the premiere contenders of the late 1890's, right behind Corbett, Fitzsimmons and Jackson, in the HW division.

[ben geoghegan]

Maher's 20 round draw in NYC with Gus Ruhlin was supposed to be a brutal brutal fight and a great fight, and better than Sharkey vs Jeffries. Corbett was behind O'Donnell in that Corbett title match and Maher spoiled it by KO'ing him easily.

[Brute]

Corbett should have stayed retired.

[donnellon]

It might interest the posters to know I have a Peter Maher book coming out in the next few months, barring any more publication complications.
It is the fruit of at least four years labour and I hope offers an insight into a fascinating fighter and contains the records of some forty of his opponents. Maher was one hell of a fighter.

[donnellon]

It might interest the posters to know I have a Peter Maher book coming out in the next few months, barring any more publication complications.
It is the fruit of at least four years labour and I hope offers an insight into a fascinating fighter and contains the records of some forty of his opponents. Maher was one hell of a fighter.

[The Great John L]

It might interest the posters to know I have a Peter Maher book coming out in the next few months, barring any more publication complications.
It is the fruit of at least four years labour and I hope offers an insight into a fascinating fighter and contains the records of some forty of his opponents. Maher was one hell of a fighter.

Please do give us the details when it becomes available.