Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-08-16

JACK MAULIFFE.
[For Il years lightweight champion boxer OF
the world
dislike to read about the men who decry
and traduce sport in which the lion heart
ed Richard of England, the greatest of
Christian crusaders and the conqueror or
Saladin, was not ashamed to take part.
/ am proud of the profession of which
l am no mean member; but, like many
others, l havo had all the fun l could
possibly have out Of it. l have now been q
champion In my class longer than any
man breathing-12 years. had intended
over q year and a half ago, when Dick
Burge of England flunked out of that
match for t45, 600 at Coney Island, to re-
tire as the undcfeated lightweight cham
pion of the world So many challenges,
however, were being aimed so constantly
at me that 1 reconsidered my determina-
ton and announced my willingness to
meet all corners who could secure any re-
spectacle kind Of backing. Some of these
fellows would challenge me to fight at a
period when I had lots of money-at one
time $50, ,000-for a paltry pittance of
$500 or 81, 900 side. When l went broke,
however, and had to fight, 1 could not find
these fellows with a search warrant.
There are lots of strong, clever, ambi-
tious young fellows after me now. Princi-
pal among these are George, better known
as Kid, Lavigne; Young Griffo (when he
gets out of troublc) and Jimmy Handler,
Bob Fitzsimmons' skillful protcge. To
any and all of them have this to say: 81
will fight one more fight at 1876 pounds and
then quit the business" l do not intend to
follow tho example of my illustrious con-
temporaries, John l.. Sullivan and Jack
Dempsey, and stay in the ring until l am
| whipped. Once we "three Jacks, as they
| used to call us, We're 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 l say to all ambitious
| lightweights who are hungcring for gold
| and glory, "Come on; the first served will
| be the 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 / believe the young antipodean to be
innocent of wrongdoing and am sorry he
got into the meshes OF the law. We were
matched for S., 600 side at the time and
had each of us $500 posted with Arthur T.
under tho laws and usages of sport have
claimed the forfeit, but 1 cheerfully re-
turned it to Critic to help him out of his
legal complications.
To Lavigne, who once fought Critic to
draw, and who is still an undefeated
man and has, I believe, plenty of money
behind him, l say, Defeat Jimmy Han
dler In your battle at Long island in Sep
tember next, and will fight you to a fin
ish for stake bet of $40 900 a side and the
largest purse offered by any reputable club
l am willing, If you are, to participate in
the tournament at Dallas in October and
November next, where Corbett and Fitz-
simmons, Peter Maher and Steve O'Don-
nell and Tommy Ryan and Mysterious
Billy Smith will all strive for the mastery
in their respective classes"
think havo made my position clear.
will fight one fight and no more Win or
lose, will retire from the ring-a cham
pion, hope won't be tho pitcher bro
ken at the well if l can help it. After my
next and last battle l will jump right into
business l have two plans under consid-
Grafton. A distinguished playwright has
written play call around me, as drama
lists put it, and 1 may go out on the road
at the head of a strong company. Friends
have been kind enough to say that have
the dramatic instinct and can act a bit
At any rate can't be any worse than Cor
bett, and the task is worth essaying,
Another plan have is to open up ho-
tel In either New York, Coney Island or
Bath Beach. 1 have thousands of friends
near New York, and as know considera-
BILE about one part of q hotel figure it
won't take me long to get pointers on the
rest. So that settles 1t; after November
next will either be an actor or boniface.