Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-27
FRED WELSH A HERO
IN GREAT BRITAIN

garding the prowess of Freddie Welsh.
England's new lightweight champion.
John r. Coryell of Cardiff. Wales, says:
Fred Welsh is lightweight champion of
England. No one disputes his title now,
and there is no one in sight to contest it.
He had already beaten every other claim
met and beat last Monday night. He
beat him 80 thoroughly through every
round that there was but one opinion OF
the result. Summers was SO completely
outclassed that even his most ardent ad-
mirers lost all hope for him by the fourth
round. AS for Summers. / think he was
convinced by the third round that he had
no possible chance. I never saw such a
bewildered, daZed look on a mans face
as on his as the conviction gradually
formed in his brain that he never could
hit his elusive antagonist, but that ms
antagonists fists seemed frightfully null
tiplied:. each gloved fist landing at will;
Both men were in the pink of condi-
ton, and l am sure Summers never
fought better in his life. All that he
knew he tried. but when he boxed he was
so much outboXed that he looked Ike a
schoolboy and when he fought he was
could not land a blow or he was so fierce
ly outfought that his legs weakened under
him and he was glad to hold on.
There is no doubt he would have been
knocked out by the fifteenth round II
Welsh had been permitted to fight i'm the
American way, but over here they detest
inflghting and look upon it as horrid
innovationsno to be tolerated. They ad-
mire and demand open distinguishing
and getting away: they are shocked at
any blow that is not straight from the
shoulder. They saw Welsh get under or
away or inside of all his opponents fam
Gus rights and lefts with such ease as
seemed to indicate that he knew just
what the other was going to do: then
they saw him dart in and smother poor
Summers in a perfect hail OF blows.
which travelled not over six or nine
inches, but which left Summers gasping
and weak. They saw their favorite's face
pounded out of shape: they saw his legs
saw him vince under the punishment on
his body. but for the most part they were
not enlightened, but only angry.
THE contest has caused a vast amount
of controversy. No one doubts for mo-
ment that Summers was absolutely out
classed, and have not heard even a sug-
gestion of another contest between the
two boxers. Welsh is the champion with
out any question. and yet the controversy
RACES and they want to know, you know,
if that is good fighting.
"A few of the best judges say frankly
that Welsh has dealt death blow 10 the
old fashioned cherished style OF standing
straight UP in regulation attitude,
dancing gracefully in and out with
straight leads, right swings and few
uppercuts thrown i'm whenever the boxer
happens to remember that there are more
than two effective blows To be used. 1t
looks as If they We're beginning slowly
and painfully to wake up over here TO
the fact that they must give more lati-
tude to the boxer if they expect him 10
be a fighter.
This is the first time Welsh has fought
in London since he left America last June.
His victories over the best men here left
London unconvinced. 1t was quite GER
tain in their minds that when he met
Johnny Summers. that splendid repre-
sentative of the best English traditions.
his new tangled subtleties of punch and
footwOrk would be shown up III all their
emptiness and futility. They are now
almost as much dazed as Summers was.
and nothing else is talked of III sporting
circles but Welsh and his new methods
There is not left them even the con-
ISOLATION OF believing that some one else
0ould have done better than Summers
ror he is admittedly the best man OF his
weight over here. And it must be said
that he is infinitely better than he showed
himself in America. He is quick. clever
and strong. His punch is terrific. and
his courage and gameness unlmpeachapie.
1T was a beautiful fight for one who
uIlQcTSIOOO llc VI 'iiC sam,
for It was splendid illustration of the
difference between the new and the old
styles o. boxing And although about
two-thirds of Welshs marvellous ring
craft did not display itself. owing to the
rulings of the referee. enough was in evil
dence to make the fight very pretty one.
1.-THE house was packed with the usual
aristocratic assemblage. and one might
have fancied the house Of lords had
adjourned and come down in a body. AT.
ter his victory was announced Welsh was
presented with Lord Lonsdale's gold belt.
which he must defend for three years
before he can call it absolutely his own.
This is the first belt ever given over here
for a lightweight championship. / think
it is the most beautiful belt have ever
belts that have been given. 1t
is Of solid gold and is worth about
81 900.
..Of course there is a great Welsh boom
on just now. The music halls are after
him with offers of $2.OO0 week. but as
yet he has not closed with any OF them
though he probably will in the course o.
q day or two. He was given a great re-
c-ption when he returned to Wales after
the fight, and monster banquet under
the auspices of the leading members of
the community is to be held in his honor.
ut doesn't look as IL Battling Nelson
could afford to dodge Welsh much longer.
Now that Welsh is the recognized cham
pion of England his challenge to Nelson
must either be taken notice of or the
Battlef must let his title pass by de-