The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-25
RTTCHIE DENIES HE
 DUCKED FRED WELSH
By T. s. Andrews.)

What is the real reason for Willie Ritchie calling off his match with Freddy Welsh, the British champion, at Vancouver, B. C., which had been set for September 20? There must be something besides the talk of squabbling over share in the con sessions, which amounted to $5,00O. Chet Mcintyre, the promoter of the fight, stated that the concession end of it was a joke, as there was not much involved and it would have been the easiest kind of a matter to settle that part of the argument MT. Mo Intyre claims that at Seattle Ritehie told him he had been worried by the actions of Harry Pollok, manager for Freddy Welsh, and that he had not been able to get in proper condition. If that is true then Willie had better get a manager and let the latter do the worrying.
 T do not place any reliance in the reports about "coId feet" and all that, for Ritchie has proven that he is fighter. Any one who will stack up against Ad Wolgast and beat him, a1- so Joe Rivers and others, must be be yond the ''cold feet habit. It may be true that Ritchie was not in shape for such a fight. If such was the case it would have been much better for him to admit the truth and ask for additional time to train and get in proper shape, for Freddy Welsh is not the kind of boy who would ask op- ponent to meet him out of condition. Ritchie was getting a small fortune for his end, $16,000 cash and an in which would amount to considerable in Canada and Great Britain.
 This is the second time Welsh has been disappointed in a big match, his bout with Ad Wolgast for the cham pionship having been called off when kI,,1 Hs--I-. T,- l had to be operated on. Now this one with Ritchie, which was for the worlds title, makes the second run of hard luck for the little Welshman. It is hoped that they will be brought to- gether again, for neither one can claim the worlds title until they meet and settle the question. It is likely that both Welsh and Ritchie will come east, there will hardly be anything doing in. that line out on the coast of California for a while, and both are after the long green.
 There are several Iightweights wait ing to get a chance at either one, among them, Charlie White, Leach Cross, Tommy Murphy, Jimmy Duffy, Sammy Robideau, Young Saylor and others, so they need not feel shy about hitting the big white way of the bright spots around Chicago and Mil waukee. Then there are Jack Briton anf Packey Mcfarland, both of the 135 pound class, who will be tickled half to death to take either champion on at the weight mentioned. That is the ambition of Packey's life to get into match for the light weight title at a weight he can make, and he says he can do 135 pounds all right.
 Later-I am just in receipt of a let ter from Willie Ritchie, telling of his troubles at Vancouver. He says in part: Can better explain my reason for refusing to go on with the match at Vancouver when see you. was tired of the tactics employed by Harry Pollok, manager of Welsh. I am ready to make a match with Welsh at any time and go through with it when Pollok and Welsh are ready to do business in the right way. The story that I quit cold is too ridiculous to consider, and you can bet when the proper terms are arranged, and as I said before, Pollok wakes up and does business in a business-like man ner why I will be there all right Yours sincerely, Willie Ritchie''
 While Ritchie will try and rake in the long green in the east Freddy Welsh may go to Winnipeg for a match with Young SayIor of Indian apolfs- Ray Bronson, the manager of Saylor, has received an offer for his young lightw eight to meet Welsh in the Canadian city and will in all prob ability accept, providing Freddy can anxious to get after Ritcf1ie again and says he will keep on his trail until he does land a match, and no one will blame him for trying to put it through.