The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-06
lBy James J. Corbett, Former Heavy
 weight Champion of the Worldly

HRw flames l. Corbett, Former Heavy
 weight Champion of the World.)
 Especial to the F'armer.)
 New York, Dec 6.---WilIe Ritehle' lightweight champfo1is EV4N sPHsseen III tT1e ring again the coming week On 1xT, tl7fs time San Francisco sports and not New Workers are to have the privilege of watching the sterling ht- tie battler perform
 Rftchie boxes Tommy Murphy at December 1O Out California way where Tommy has fought several corkinE twenty round battles the I sports are anticipating great con ' test. Here in Murphy's home town the opinion prevails among the tal- I ent', that the bout will prove the cas- : jest task Willie has undertaken since copping the title. Ritchie is one of the best balanced chaps I've met in a long time ana do not think him the sort to oVerrate his own or beIitt1e another'S ab1l1ty. ' However, happen to know he does not regard Murphy as his most dan gerous rival-not by good oea1' Still as he told me, he was morally bound to meet the New Yorker and as CaIifornfans have a very high regard for Tommy's fstic prcsEess he will he well pafd for his time and trou- bIe.
 My own opinion is that Ritchfe's youth and skil1s will prove quite too much for the veteran While I real ize that Murphy is. a tough customer rr1zr and one of the gaTnest in the ring; eV- srvthing considered, will not be sur prised if the champion stops him be- fore the limit. am not predicting any such result, however, as I appre- ciate that it is not such an easy mat ter to accomplish as all that. The dope. though, favors the champions s success and if he puts up the same kind of battle he showed local fans in the Cross bout Murphy will be ex- ceedingIy fortunate to be there at the finish.
 Ritchie is getting better right along He is the intelligent breed of boxer 2 and will benefit by every fight he has until the time comes when nature calls a halt On the other hand Murphy, always a bit short of championship class, has seen his best day and is on
 Therefore it does not seem a diff cult matter to call the winner of next Wednesdays match, does it?
 In view of the results of recent inn portant lightweight battles it begins to look very much as if the champion ship title will remain in Ritchie's pos session for some time to come. Leach Cross defeat by Joe Rivers practically eliminates the New Yorker from the contention same time was not successful in sat isfying fight followers that the Mexi- can would have chance in another battle with the champion.
 , Cross defeat was no surprise to anyone who saw him take gruelling from Ritchie two weeks before the Rivers bout At his age Cross can not assimilate much punishment and come back in so short a time for bat tie with strenuous customer such as Rivers has proven himself on occar- sion
 Ritchie has already demonstrated superiority over the ''Greaser." Good judges who saw Willie beat Joe last summer have told me that Rivers does not belong with the champion Of course that can only be proved by bringing the boys together again, al- i though there is no denying that Will [ lie won decisively enough last time. ! Furthermore, am informed that 1t is no sure thing Rivers would consent to another match with Ritchte should ! it be offered him." It is thought Will i lie has the Indian sign'' on Joe, and that Joe knows it.