Arizona republican., 1912-07-05
Referee in the Thirteenth Round With Both Men on the Floor Writhing in Pain Gave the Decision to Wolgast
DEMONSTRATION
 AND NEAR RIOT
Rivers and Champion Each Put in a Claim of Foul But the Latter's Was Withdrawn; Mexican Boy Made Better Showing
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 LOS ANGELES. July 4.-For twelve rounds Wolgast and Rivers fought like demons at Vernon this afternoon. Tn the thirteenth came the blows which laid both low and they lay for an instant sprawled on the floor writhing. Ref cree Welch declared Wolgast the win her and the demonstration by 1000 fight fans followed, a remarkable fea ature of which was that a riot did not culmin- ate. A half dozen policemen quieted the disturbance. that for d time bordered upon q serious outbreak. without the use of clubs or violence of any sort
 Tonight Referee Welch stands disput- eI by Rivers and thousands of specta- tors upon his decision that WOlgast won by a knockout. The Mexican fight CT claimed a foul, and as he lay whimp- ering in bis dressing room he displayed dented aluminium protector to prove his claim.
 WolgaSt said he was also fOuled, but tonight at conference with Promoter McCarey. Jones. WOlgast's manager, said he ;lid not believe the alleged foul was inflicted upon the champion inten- tionally, Jones said Wolgast stumbled over the feet of Rivers as the latter lay prostrate upon the floor snd fell on his adversary's knee. Wolgast fainted and was carried to his dressing room.
 As Wolgast was taken out of the arms of his seconds, throng of highly wrought spectators jerred him while they milled and struggled in frantic +I,o stood for moment in a hot altercation with the angered manager and seconds of Rivers and then disappeared.
 Welch remained only long enough to re-assert that Rivers claim of d foul was unfounded. that he had counted ten seconds on Rivers before he had declared Wolgast the winner and that the gong ending the round did not in- tervene before he had completed the count.
 Then he went to his hotel and reit- erated to reporters tonight his declara- tion that the decision was not the re- suit of confusion upon his part but was eminently fair. McCarey maintained silence. Joe Levy, the manager of Riv- CTS repeated the offer made in the ring to let the men fight it out at once.
 The fight started like a whirlwind. Rivers went right after WOlgast. the Mexican Outfighting the champion in the first round. In the second Rivers landed ten blows to WOlgast's one. WOlgast made a stand in the third and kept Rivers busy holding on. The round ended with both covered with blood. Rivers rocked Wolgast with a right swing to the jaw in the fourth the champion swinging wildly and missing again and again.
 The terrific pace made both very tired. Rivers scored the first knock down in the sixth with a right to Vol gast's jaw. The champion was up in an instant From the sixth to the thir- teenth round it was slam bang with Rivers having d slight advantage. In the eleventh both went to the floor and nearly rolled out of the ring. Rivers complained three or four times of Wolgast hitting low At the beginning of the thirteenth round Rivers seemed much the fresher of the two. Wolgast was bleeding profusely and struck Riv- CTS vicious left low. At the same time Rivers right handed Wolgast on the jaw, and the champion went down.
 With both men on the floor. the ref cree began counting and assisted Vol gast to bis feet He declared him the winner at the same time calling all bets off Tis seconds had to carry Wolgast from the ring. Rivers still lay on the floor but iT moment he arose unaided.
 The doctors examined Rivers imme- diately after the Mexican reached his dressing room. one stated that he saw the blow struck and that it was "a deliberate foul" The others agreed that the blow was foul and very pain full The official tmekeeper of the club said it was just nine seconds before Referee WeIch began to count.
 'I don't know how many seconds Welch had counted before I rang the beu.'' said Harder. but I do know that after I had rung the bell ending the round. Welch gave the decision to WOIgast."
 Earl Rogers. the attorney defend ing Clarence Darrow in the famous jury bribing case, made a statement after the fight tonight
 Tt was the most gigantic swindle. the most wholesale bit of robbery that ever came to my notice" said Rogers AS early as o'clock this morning it came to my ears that a plan was on foot whereby Wolgast was to be given the decision. no matter what the cost might be. I watched ev- ----------- = -.---1 - ,,az- ol