Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-29

San Francisco, Nov. 2S.-Ad Wolgast, lightweight champion pugilist. lost his title to Willie Ritchie today in the 18th round of their fight at Daly City. In that round Wolgast fouled Ritchie twice and Referee James Griffin award ed the fight to Ritchie. Wolgast, how ever, was already a beaten man. His eyes were glazed, his legs shaky, his whole body tottering.
 The end of the fight came after those at the ringside had noticed in the 18th round that Wolgast's strength seemed waning somewhat. At the be- ginning of the 18th the boys faced each other with Ritchie confidently carrying the fight to his opponent. Wolgast looked worried. His face had lost the sneering smile 1t wore in the earlier rounds. Ritchie made him vince with a two-hander to the body and then shot a crushing right square ly to the jaw. Wolgast fell against the ropes, then retreated toward his corner. Ritchie crowded him and as Wolgast raised his head Ritchie right crossed him and Wolgast fell sprawl ing.
 Champion Almost Out.
 Official Timekeeper George Harting, who has been counting champions for 37 years, began to toll off the sec onds. At the count of four Wolgast, very groggy, got up and came toward his antagonist Ritohie, who had crossed to the opposite side of the ring, rushed to meet him and they ex- changed blows, Wolgast, though badly dazed, covered so that Ritchie could not send in the finishing smash. Only "A seconds remained of the round. Ritehie, near his own corner, made ready for the right t-cross again when WOlgast's left struck him low. Hun dreds of voices raised the cry of Foul. Foul!" and Referee Griffin cau- toned Wolgast In another instant the left glove of Welgast struck low again and found the same sore spot. Ritchie tried to fight back, but was plainly in distress,
 Referee Griffin rushed between the fighters, pushed Wolgast aside and raised Ritchie's hand in token of vic tory, The crowd at the ringside cheered him and hundreds rushed to shake hands when he left the ring. Ritchie was taken to a bath house and training quarters immediately after the fight.
 Seven Rounds WoIgast's.
 " UlSdSl ldu Ill6 BGllGI OI StNtH OL the rounds, four were even and the remainder were easily Ritchie's. In the first two the local lad outboxed the champion, in the fourth he outfought him, and in the tenth, which was real ly the turning point of the fight, he stood shoulder to shoulder with him and slugged to~body and head. Vol gast had much the worse of the milling and Tom ones. his manager, increased the allowance of brandy that the champion took during each intermis- sion.
 All through the fight Ritchie blocked and tucked cleverly, but encountered the WOlgast left hand a few times that bruised his left eye and nearly closed it.
 Wolgast says he did not Intentionally foul Ritchie and that he thinks it is a poor way to win a championship.
 T didn't hear Griffin caution me and do not believe I struck a foul blow,' he said after the fight. "Ritchie was rough and when I first got in trouble in the 16th it was from him throwing me against the ropes Instead of hitting me. I would be willing to fight him again tomorrow
 Ritcnie protested that he was foul ed, but said that he was strong and could have finished Wolgast in another round. The new lightweight cham pion's real name is Gary Steffen. He was reared in San Francisco and took to driving sang wagon teams for his older brother when school duties be- came irksome. When 15 years old he began boxing. He showed his quality In the amateur ranks and later in pre- liminary fights. ....
 A year ago today he made his first forward stride when he was substitut- ed for the stricken Ad Wolgast in Los Angeles and boxed 20 rounds with Freddy Welsh Since then he all but won-ten rounds from Joe Mandot in New Orleans, and last May he boxed four rattling rounds with Wolgast, flooring the then champion once He is 21 years old and of German percentage.