Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-11
THE PUGILlSTS
KID IS KIDDING
Mccoy Writes a Saucy Letter to Gentleman Jim and the Lat
 ter Soliloquizes..


 marriage cannot keep him out of the lime light, for To and behold he is out with a challenge this morning to meet his old rival, Jim, or rather James J. Corbett.' The following is the Kid S personal letter sent to Corbett: % ''To James J. Corbett:
 After carefully considering my de- termination to retire from the prize ring, I have concluded it is only fair and equitable to the public, as well as to myself, that I should have another opportunity to prove that I am your superior in the science of boxing.
 '"rhe result of our former meeting leaves room for so many arguments as to our relative ability that I believe another match in the early part of the coming year would give opportunity for definite decision on this ques- ton.
 'There is no doubt in my mind as to the outcome of such a contest, as I sincerely believe you would prove for me an easy mark with the gloves.
 T am not seeking return match with you for the sake of any cheap notoriety or from motives of a pc cuniary nature, but because I believe there is blot on my escutcheon which 1 should wipe out before 1 say good bye forever to the prize ring.
 Under no conceivable conditions or circumstances would I entertain a proposition to meet any other man of the ring. As 1 have said before in public and ill private, I am through with the gloves, with but the one eX- ception and that is yourself.
 AS it is contrary to the laws of the state of New York to issue a formal challenge, write you this letter glv- ing you my views on the subject.
 And to show my sincerity in the matter I will deposit the sum of 5000 with the Morning Telegraph in New York as guaranty of good faith. I hope you will find time to give an i'm mediate reply to this letter.
 Yours truly, KID M'COY.
 New York, Dec 10, 1905"
 And here is Corbett's sarcastic re- ply: Ridiculous" said the ex-cham- pion last night. Mccoy knows wouldn't fight him or any other man and the only reason I can figure for this piece of windy foolishness is his desire to keep his name in the papers. an oniv sorry that he should use my name in his efforts tc get advertising. He knows. and everybody else who is acquainted with me knows, that 1 have quit the fighting business for good and all. l don't even want to talk fight. It is extremely distasteful and repugnant to me, and with this eXcep- tion l have not been drawn into a discussion of pugilism for two years.
 ''oh, yes, I've read his challenge. It only amused and then slightly an noyed me. What is all that talk about his escutcheon? He'd do well to look up the definition of the word.
 ''I never knew he had an escutcheon. If he had one and I damaged it or took 1t away from hin, tell him to come around and he can have it back if he can find it on me.
 But you're always learning some thing. I never knew I had Solar plexus until Fitzsimmons found it for me.
 But, seriously. I wish you would say I'm out of this thing for all time to come. Of course l realize that prob. ably if I had never fought I'd never been heard of. but nevertheless I hate the very mention of the thing.
 "I did it for money pure and sim pie, and now that I've got all the money and fame from it that I could, I'm through with it for good. No man ss N,rl, H. ly an animal or fool.
 I'm in another business now, a busi- ness that is as different from fighting as the sun from the moon; business that if am successful in will give me the responsibility that l desire. and will make people, to a certain degree at any rate, forget or at least overlook my former connection with pugilism.
 Under no consideration and for no amount of money would I re-enter the ring. I am 39 years old, have been champion. had the title fairly taken away from me. and know I couldn't go back and win it again. As would be content with nothing else I will keep out of the game.
 T am ambitious to be recognized le- as an actor. I have been working hard to this end for some time and will continue to do so.
 'I have signed a contract for five years with Mir Harris and mean tO bend my every energy to make his in- vestment a successful one for both of us.
 AS for Mccoy. he is very foolish. I gave him credit for better sense. He can gain nothilS but cheap notoriety from this. '''I will not discuss the question of our respective abilities. That last fight in Madison Square GardenT No. TH not discuss that. either. and think 1 .t in very bad taste for Mccoy to do 1 so.'