New Britain herald., 1927-08-25
Speakins g of Sports

Jack Britton. formerly resident of this city and for years welter- weight champion of the world. has been denied a license to fight in the welterweight ranks by the New York state athletic commission. Jack met financial reverses in Florida when the hurricane visited that re- zion and he wants to make up some of these losses through the only profession that he knows.
 He fought all winter in Florida and scored victory after victory. His craftiness in the ring has earn- ed him the sobriquet of the Mas ter of Boxing" His condition has brought him the name of the best conditioned athlete in the game" Still in all, he is denied a license to box because he is 42 years of age, few years over the limit set by the boxing authorities in New York.
 The entire boxing world Is in sym pathy with Britton. Hype Igoe in the New York World has delivered a broadside in favor of granting the veteran a license. Here is what he says in part:
 There's more than a bit of sadness about their turning down Jack Brit tons application for a license to box in this state. It goes without say ing that Jack is not the man he was physically-he can't be; nature isn't that liberal-but it does seem to me that no great harm can come of his being permitted to ply his trade, the only one he knows.
 I'll warrant that Jack Britton as he stands today is better fitted to fight than nine out of ten of the young men who call themselves "welterweight contenders." Further I'll advance the suggestion that he can take nine out of ten of these same contenders and make them look foolish when 1t comes to box irg-boxing as we know 1t today.
 HIS ulc Ddl li6 liioii cNNA s'AiA' '' eight was framed to prevent Jack Johnson from coming back to this town. He was over that age line and the commission didn't want any part of him. Jack had said enough about himself to convince them that he didn't belong. So they passed the rule prohibiting men over thirty eight from appearing in New York rings. That's the barrier that con- fronts gallant Jack Britton. That's the reason why he cant come back to delight US with his graceful work manship. That's the reason why this fellow won't get the chance to re- plenish his thinned bill folder now that his hard-earned savings have been wiped out by the elements in Florida.
 Far less worthy opponents of the manly art of self defense than Brit ton are attempting to box these days with the full permission of the com mission. I don't intend to quarrel with Farley, MuIdoon or Brewer over Britton's case. His is an ex- traordinary one because of the eX- traordinary care he has taken of himself through all the years of his boxing. He didn't train in the night clubs. When younger fellows came along and demanded the spotlight and got it, what did they do follow ing victory?
 Here is another case for the Ma tionaI Boxing association of which Connecticut's state athletic commits sioner, Thomas Donohue is presi- dent. The association has already broken with the New York body over the handing ts Mike McTiguc of the light heavyweight champion ship. The association even recog- nizes the bout in Hartford Monday night between MaXie Rosenbloom end Jimmy Slattery. as the title fight, the winner to be declared the worlds light heavyweight cham pion.
 New Britain will always keep pride in the fact that it was from this city that Britton first went to fight. It was also from this city that the former weltcrweight cham pion took his name.
 Many there are in New Britain who remember Willie Breslin, the mild hammered kid who roamed the streets in years gone by. Many of his personal friends are still here and they will be heartily in accord with the sentiments regarding him as ex- pressed by Igoe.
 Could we but give Britton what is due him, Jack would never want