Interesting record this guy has. Started his career (or recorded career) very late, then KO'd Choynski twice, drew and KD'd with Peter Jackson, KO'd Maher and beat a few another somewhat notables. Fell apart in his mid-30's but was pretty spotless through the first few dozen fights. Big puncher though not the most scientific fighter.
Didn't keep in the best of shape and the surprise Denver Ed Smith loss put him out of the picture. Fitz, Jackson, Corbett, Slavin, Choynski and Maher were all glad to get an excuse to ignore him.
At his peak the barrier champion was a highly regarded and avoided fighter. With diferent breaks he might just have got to the title.
Goddard was a top fighter in his day. Here's something from the web . Goddard "was not a scienced man but he possessed prodigious strength, remarkable stamina and endurance and like the old time bulldog never knew when he was beaten." (Referee, 5 March 1936) Goddard vs Maher article: The weights of the men were given out officially as: Maher, 175; Goddard, 187. Maher probably weighed 180 and Goddard 195. Maher won the toss for Choice o gloves, and there was another noise that -showed what a favorite Maher was with the mass of spectators. Johnny Eckhart was referee and Bob Stoll, of the New York Athletic club, held the watch. First round It was lightning work from the very start. The men went at it hammer and tongs, slash and crash, with Mayer a scienced man and Goddard only a bulldog. All for the head. A few body blows were struck, the two or three being given by Goddard. Maher went down to his knees once, but got up and tried it again, but it was no good. Goddard landed on him with his right and left, missing many times, but getting there often enough. Second round More punishing and smashing. Maher got in a couple of beauties on Goddard's face, staggering the Australian each time. Goddard looked a bit groggy after a couple of rights on the cheek, but he clung to his meat with a tenacity that can only be compared to that of -vermin, and smashed the Irishman on the ribs three times before he let go. Then Maher fell to his knees again. Peter stayed down for four seconds, his head shaking like a leaf. Up he jumped, however, and out at Goddard again. He got in a soaker on Goddard's 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 way beyond his ear. Goddard dashed at Maher and gave him a fierce blow on the breast. Maher 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 unclean, heavy and strong style, Maher in form that showed little of the neatness that he had displayed before, and was known for in New York for weeks after his arrival from Ireland. On coming out from their corners for the third round, Maher looked tired: 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 right and left and 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 . The 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 get up he was helped over to his corner by many hands, none more willing than these of Billy Madden, who was over from Goddard's corner to assist his protégé. 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 the poor fellow did not comprehend that he had been licked, but anyhow he smiled complacently when told that it was all over. This content is protected Goddard was well winded when the show was over. He had had some very fast rounds: probably no man. not even Choynski. had ever given him such a crack as that that sent him against the ropes in the second round. His face showed that he was surprised at Maher's vehemence. and this expression on his features caused more than one person to think that Maher, either through ignorance or viciousness attempted to give the Goddard party the '-double cross" and win if he possibly could. The general opinion among sporting men. who saw Goddard for the first time, is that the Australian will never do to fight Corbett or Jackson. With all his strength and pluck they say the Barrier man would not be in it with skill and speed and he had better keep his hands out of it.
But he did fight Jackson, knocked him down and walked away with a draw. He seems to have been a very dangerous opponent who may have never learned any of the fine points of fistic art but whose prodigious strength and power carried the day. Up to a point, that is. His record shows that this not very unique approach wore down his capacities by his mid 30's and the rest was downhill.
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