Peter Maher had won and lost the heavyweight crown over the course of just a few months as the year turned from 1895 to ’96, but the honor provided him with a continuing fare of opponents of quality for many years following in the best boxing clubs in the states and local halls across his home of Ireland.  Nearing the end of his own storied career that had begun in his native Australia, Steve O'Donnell faced the Irishman Maher once more for a contest in New York.  The 2 had met 4 times before with all in Maher’s favor, all but the 2nd fight in Philadelphia 1st round victories.  In their initial contest, in Queens’ Empire Athletic Club, November 11th of 1895, the then-retiring champion James J. Corbett awarded the world title to the victor Maher.   Here in their 5th affair, again in Brooklyn, at the New Broadway with the attentive Charlie White officiating, the brutal bout lasted only a bit over a minute.  In that brief time, the Galway native Maher beat his southern Empire rival to the canvas four times before a knock out was scored.  Providing at least longer entertainment, the inexperienced Kid Watson withheld the featherweight "Connecticut Iron Man" Rice for 11 rounds before he fell for the count in the last of his two recorded professional fights.  Rice would challenge for the world crown held by Young Corbett II in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in January of ’03, but would suffer the loss after 18 frames.