Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-08-10

JACK MAULIFFE.
 For 12 years lightweight champion boxer of
 the world.l
 I dislike to read about the men who tlecry and traduce sport in which the lion heart ed Richard of England, the greatest of Christian crusaders and the conqueror of Saladin, was not ashamed to take part. I am proud of the profession of which I am no mean member; but, like many others havc had all the fun I could possibly havc out of it. have now been a champion in my class longer than any man breathing-12 years. I had intended over a year and half ago, when Dick Burgo of England flunked out of that match for E45, 900 at Coney Island, to re- tirc as the undefcated lightweight cham pion of the world. So many challenges, however, were being aimed so constantly at me that I reconsidercd my determina- tion and announced my willingness to meet all corners who could secure any re- spectable kind of backing. Some of these fellows would challenge mo to fight at a period when I had lots of money-at one time $50, ,000-for paltry pittancc of $500 or $1, GOO side. When went broke, however, and had to fight, I could not find these fellows with n search warrant.
 There are lots of strong, cloTcr, ambi tious young fellows after mo now. Princi-
 
 as Kid, Lavigne; Young Griffo (when he gets out of trouble) and Jimmy Handler, Bob Fitzsimmons' skillful protege. To any and all of them have this to say: II will fight one more fight at 135 pounds and then quit the business 1 do not intend to follow the example of my illustrious con tempUraricS, John l.. Sullivan and Jack Dempsey, and stay in the ring until am whipped Once we "three Jacks" as they used to call us, were invincible. Two, when weakened by sickness, age and dis sipation, went down before younger and stronger men. The third won't if he can help it. Therefore 1 say to all ambitious lightweightS who are hungering for gold and glory. 'Come on; the first served will be tho man who can command the largest backing" To Young Griffo of Australia say, II will be glad to meet you anywhere to finish as soon as you are out of your present trouble" And here let me observe that 1 believe the young antipodean to be innocent of wrongdoing and am sorry he got into the meshes of the law. We wero matched for $5 900 side at the time and had each of Us $500 posted with Arthur T. Lumley of The Illustrated NcwS. l could under the laws and usages of sport have claimed tho forfeit, but I checrfully TO- turned it to Griffo to help him out of his leSal COlnpllCaIlouS.
 To Lavignc, who once fought Griffo to | draw, and who is still an undofoated man and has, believe, plenty of money behind him, 1 say, Defeat Jimmy Han dler in your battle at Long island in Sep tember next, and I will fight you to fin | iSh for a stake bet of $lO, 900 side and the | largest purse offered by any reputable club. am willing, if you arc, to participate in | the tournament at Dallas in October and | November next, where Corbett and FitZ- 1 simmons, Peter Mahcr and Steve O'Don- l nell and Tommy Ryan and Mysterious l Billy Smith will all strive for the mastery l in their respective ClasSeS'
 | think have mado my position clear. | will fight one fight and no more. Win or | lose, I will retire from tho ring-a cham | pion, hope. won't be the pitcher bro | ken at the we'll if can help it. After my l next and last battle will jump right into l business have two plans under Consid l eration. distinguished playwright ha; l written play all around" me, as drama lists put it, and may go out on the road | at the head of a strong company. Friend: have been kind enough to say that have | the dramatic instinct and can act q bit At any rate can't be any worse than Cor | bett, and tho task is worth cssaying.
 Another plan I have is to open up a ho
 tel in either New York, Coney Island ol
 Bath Beach. have thousands of friends near New York, and us know considera
 ble about one part of hotel figure i
 won't take mo long to get pointers on th' | rest. So that settles it; after Novembe
 next l will oither Do an actor or boniface