Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-09-21
.RI1CHlE.WElCH fight
FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Vancouver, B. C.,Sept. 2O.-Not for
many years has an event in the pug
ilistic world caused such intense in
terest in this section of the country
as the championship contest between
Willie Richie, the worlds light
weight champion, and Freddie
Welsh, the lightweight champion OF
Great. Britain, which lis to be pulled
off here today. There are two spec
ial reasons which are responsible for
the unusual interest manifested "oip
today's battle. One reason lies in the
fact that those who are supposed to
be judges of pugilistic matters and
ability consider the outcome Of this
battle extremely doubtful. Welsh, is
a great fighter. He is by five years
older than Richie and has had a great
deal more actual experience in the
ring than his opponent. That alone
counts for something and the fact
that the British champion met and
defeated Richie on November 30
1911, less than two years ago, when
they fought twenty rounds at Yer
non, Calf, adds to the. confidence
which his Canadian friends have In
his, ability as a fighter. ,
/, Another reason is that British 10y
atty invariably favors the British
contestant in any fair fight and is
willing to back it's national pride
with good money. American sport.
ing men in Vancouver have had nc
difficulty in finding Canadian sports
willing to cover any bets they wish
ed to make on the outcome Of the
fight and ii is said that the number
Of wagers made upon the result Of
the fight is unuscually large and that
the aggregate represents quite a re-
spectacle fortune. .g3
The two contestants have been
carefully training for this battle, up
on the outcome of which may hinge
to some extent the future chances o.
the two fighters. Both are said to be.
in as nearly perfect condition as II
is possible for. two strong. vigorous
and active young men to be. Even
the most careful and experienced oh
server would find it impossible tc,
foretell from the present condition
of the two ME what the outcome OF
the battle will be. -.,#.
3 Willie Richie, who won the title
of the worlds championship wher
he defeated the former champion
Ad Wolgast, in San Francisco. on No
yeZnber % Of last year, is a very
young man to hold the championship
He was born February 10, 1891, at
San Francisco, and has been fightisp,
for three years only. He made his
debut in the ring on Sept. IA, 1909:
at Oakland. Calf, when he lost tc,
California Frank Burns in six rounds
His next appearance in the ring was
Aug. 81, 1911, at San Francisco, when
he was defeated in a t~wenty-round
bout with Matty Baldwin. During
the fall of that year Richie fought
three battles. He defeated: Jack,
Britton, and Jerry Murphy in four
rounds each, but lost to Freddie
Welsh, his adversary Of today, in a
5twenty.round battle.
, In 1912 Richie fought no-decision
fights against Young Saylor, Harry
Trendali, Young Erne, Joe Mandot
and Ad Wolgast, knocked out Yankee
Schwartz at Cleveland in two rounds
and won from Ad Wolgast at San
Francisco on a foul in the sixteenth
round, thereby gaining the title OF.
worlds champion.
Freddie Welsh, who became light:
weight champion Of Great Britain
when he defeated Mat Wells in q
t~wenty.round battle at London. Eng.
Nov. II OF last year, was born In
Pontypridd, Wales, March s, 1856
and is. therefore, five years older
than his opponent. He began his
.pugilistic career in 1905 by knocking
out Young Williams in three rounds
From that time on he has continued
to fight steadily and consistently,
forging to the gront as he gained ex.
.perience in spite Of occasional de
feats. He met q large number Of
English and American fighters both
In the United States and in Great
Britain and made an excellent rec
ord. He met Mat Wells, the former
champion, for the first time
on February ~, 1911, but was de
by him In Z twenty-round bout
The second. meeting took place iD
london Nov. II of last year and end.
"a with the defeat Of the forner
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