1900-03-09 Peter Maher D-DQ5 Tom (Stockings) Conroy [Youngstown Athletic Club, Youngstown, OH, USA]

1900-03-10 Youngstown Vindicator (Youngstown, OH) (page 5)

MAHER
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Given the Decision in His Contest With "Stockings" Conroy
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ON A FOUL IN FIFTH.
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Youngstown Athletic Club House Packed to the Doors--Winner's Money Held.

A crowded house, one of the largest in point of numbers that ever saw a boxing contest, witnessed the scientific glove affair Friday night between Peter Maher, the Irish champion of former days and Tom "Stockings" Conroy, of Troy, N. Y., and Maher got the decision on a foul in the fifth round, after a minute and 10 seconds of sharp fighting most of which was in work of a rough order.

The ending proved very unsatisfactory to patrons and the backers and admirers of Conroy, who hoped to at least see a knock out, considering the size of the contestants and their reported hard hitting powers. That a finish with one man stretched out in agony was given, did not add to either man's ring glory. Many claimed that there was no foul and that Maher quit. Certainly it was that Conroy was fighting him with all the power possible. At the time Conroy had a puffed upper eyelid over his left optic, what the fighters call a mouse. He paid no attention, however, to this. Maher had outpointed Conroy and at both long and short range seemed to have the better of it. Conroy desired to rough it the most. Several of Maher's moves showed that old time vigor once presented by the popular boxer, but it is certain that he is not the man of former days.

Dar Breaden, of Beaver Falls, Pa., was the referee. The men were to go 20 rounds, catch weights for a decision. At an early hour the club house began to receive a flow of humanity. Admission was $2 and $3, with best seats selling for five. Outsiders came early and local patrons soon appeared. As special trains and extra street cars arrived, the crowd swelled until the house was one mass of humanity. Promptly at 9 o'clock the curtain raisers came on. They were "Pony" Morris of the South Side and Leo Stanton, of Smoky Hollow. Behind them were friends to rub, advise and condole, if necessary. As reports from the McGovern-Gardner fight appeared, they were read from the ring side. These details were supplied by Western Union special wire, and operator, the instrument and operator, the latter, Frank Justice, being located in one of the private rooms of the club. As the result of the championship contest came in, cheers arose and astonishment was expressed.

Stanton is a young man, determined to make a ring record and this was his first public appearance as a professional. His opponent had been in ring togs before. The first round was given and take, with Morris having a little the better on points. In the second the lads both about 130 pounds, began to mix up and Morris was floored. He got up lively and let go some pretty drives, blood appearing on Stanton's face. In a mix, Stanton floored Morris and he was counted out. Morris seemed contented, although his friends claimed that he was not counted out, alleging that he was on his feet as the word ten was pronounced. Morris was called by some a quitter. Stanton was cheered and praised for his maiden effort. The lads boxed under straight Queensberry rules and Stanton did some wrestling, for which he was cautioned.

Next came preliminary No. 2, with Lawrence Sullivan, a muscular and tall iron worker, of Smokey Hollow, and Harry Lemons, the sable boxer from Buffalo. It was agreed that the men break free. Sullivan towered in strength and size over his dusky opponent, and had advantages which were for naught as science and ring knowledge were Lemons'. Sullivan struck mostly with open right hand, a flap which was plainly heard all over and resulted in some merriment. The men went on at catchweights and Lemons was declared the winner in the fourth round, the bout being stopped, to avoid further punishment. Good judgment was shown in this matter and club officials deserve praise. Sullivan had great facilities to do good, were he only schooled in the art pugilistic. In the third round, Lemons was down, but he slipped more than from the force of any blow. In the fourth Lemons played for body and face and landed clean cut blows, which seemed to rattle the novice. The round had only gone 2 minutes and 5 seconds, when stopped and the winner was cheered by friends, while Sullivan was admirer for gameness.

A rest of about 10 minutes was now given and patrons stretched; some went out for liquids and more returns of the big fight were announced. It was announced that the Niles Athletic club would, on March 19th, present "Mysterious" Billy Smith and Charles Burns, the latter of Cincinnati, for 20 rounds. Appearance of the only genuine fight pictures of Jeffries vs. Sharkey at the opera house, March 17 and 18, were made known, all of which is food of interest to sports and ring patrons.

Now came the stars. Conroy was first to arrive and with him were Manager Dime and a local man. Soon Maher appeared and behind him were "Buck" Connolly of Pittsburg, Manager Pete J. Lowry, and Jimmy Smith. The men were introduced and cheered. Maher wore a black breech-cloth and trunks, with a pretty green band six inches wide about his waist. Conroy had on black ring attire. As the referee called them together, Maher could be seen, a fine formed athlete. Conroy was fleshy some referring to him as a Dunkhorst, and "Squirrel" Finnerty. Besides Conroy was less tall. He made up in weight for deficiency of size and length of arm. As the bell rang for the men to clash, all eyes seemed riveted on principals. The contest by rounds, follows.

Round first: Maher was first to lead sending out a left, which fell short. In a break Conroy put right on body lightly. Maher sparred for an opening and Conroy was cautious.

Round two: Maher again led and Conroy returned. A hot exchange of body blows at short range followed, which seemed a little in Maher's favor. Conroy led left for head and placed his right on body. Maher did some pretty fast work in this round.

Round three--Honors were even in this round. The start was made by Stockings, who seemed anxious to mix it up at short range. Referee Braden found it almost impossible to separate the men in several clinches, the referee contending that Conroy was more anxious to hug. Connelly was in the ring after the sound of the bell and protested against Conroy's tactics.

Fourth round--Maher was evidently after Conroy. He came quickly to the ring center and shot out a left for the head. It fell short. This was followed by a mix and short body blows. The men puffed a little before the close of the round, which seemed to favor Maher's chances.

Round four--The left was shot out by Maher and Conroy returned it with a nice right which barely missed Peter's sensitive jaw. The men were now in a clinch, a sort of wrestling attitude and they became enraged somewhat. As Maher rushed Conroy the latter stooped and Maher fell gracefully on hands and knees with no harm done. As the men were in close quarters the bell rang.

Fifth round--Up to this time the contest was a fine one more or less, with both men apparently doing their utmost waiting cautiously to land a knockout blow. Maher again led for the face and Conroy blocked. Conroy now sent out a heavy right for the body which jarred a little. He also crossed left to head at close range and Referee Braden did the wrestling act in trying to separate the big men. "I'll do my best, gentlemen," said the official in answer to some remark from a patron. No damage had been apparently done until the foul which was said to have been committed, Maher rushing Conroy and as they were infighting Maher fell and wriggled on the floor near his corner. The official did not count him out but awaited developments. Maher arose and tried to continue but again went to the floor and the referee announced the decision that Maher had won on a foul.

Immediately protests from Conroy were made and a doctor was called. The club physician made an examination in the boxer's rooms of the association and he pronounced Maher an injured man. Even this did not satisfy Manager Dime, who charged the official with unfairness and called the big Irishman a quitter. Maher protested as best he could. Conroy sought satisfaction in another match for a side wager and Maher promised to give him a go.

All this time patrons who could were in the rooms of boxers awaiting any further knowledge of affairs. The crowd was slow to leave the building, all wanting to get a glimpse of Peter. Soon the rooms were cleared by stalwart police and the affair was on the ring records of the two men, not decisive and unsatisfactory.

Jack Cavanaugh the Pittsburg fighter, was one of those at the ringside. After the affair Maher and party returned to the National hotel while Dime and Conroy left on the first train for Troy.

Deputy Sheriffs Murphy and Shields surprised Maher and manager by placing attachments in their hands and with the club calling for a settlement with John J. Quinn, a sport of Pittsburg, for $1,000. Quinn formerly manager Maher. The fighter at once referred to the suit as an outrage and said that instead of him owing Quinn that the latter should pay Maher at least $7,000. The courts will decide, the club paying no money over to the winner until so ordered.