Peter Maher (born 16 March 1869, in Gunnode,
Tuam,
County Galway,
Ireland – 22 July 1940 in
Baltimore,
Maryland) was an
Irish boxer known for his powerful punch. Early in his career Maher won the 1888 Middleweight Championship of Ireland, and the 1890 Heavyweight Championship of Ireland. After moving to the
United States he won the 1895 Heavyweight Championship of the World match by knocking out Steve O'Donnell in the first round. In 1896
Bob Fitzsimmons defeated Maher in a fight in
Coahuila de Zaragoza,
Mexico, and took the Heavyweight title.