Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-05
RICHIE IS CHAMP
Beats Rivers Very DecisiveIy
at Frisco.
MEXICAN HAS TO QUIT
Champion Solves Opponents Attack
in Four Rounds and Wins in
the Eleventh.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 5-Willie
Richie yesterday established himself be-
yond any question as the worlds light
weight champion. There may have been
doubts Thursday as to the real worth
Of the San Franciscan, but they were
hushed yesterday afternoon when Ritchie
having solved the puzzling attack of Joe
Rivers after four uphill rounds. assumed
the lead in the fifth. outboxed and out
generated his opponent after the style Of
Joe Cans. and finally in the eleventh
round dropped the Mexican with a hard
right cross and. when the Mexican stood
on his feet. sent in a left hook to the
body that put him down for the final
count.
The round was not more than well
under way when the local lad registered
his sensational victory and demonstrated
to the satisfaction of the packed house
that he knows how to box and that he is
punisher as we'll The champion start
ed the round with short right jolts to the
body and Rivers backed away from
MIN.
A left to the head was followed by a
feint with the left to the body. The
southerner dropped his guard and quick
do HASH IhtcHlt WHO Hdu DteT re-
serving his strength. sent across the
right. 1t connected at the jaw and Riv-
ers dropped the instant. He took
the full count, but as he staggered to
his feet. still dazed. Ritchie. who had
been held back by Referee Graney. sent
I'm a left hook TO the body, and this
time Rivers was fiat on his face unable
to do more than lift his head. When
the count was finished Graney upheld
Ritchie'S hand in token of victory, and
Rivers seconds rrie1 him IN his
ner.
That both punches were hard blows
was evidenced by the blank look on
Rivers face. He stared with unseeing
eyes at the curious crowd that surged
around him. and even when Richie came
across the ring to shake hands with him
there was little life on the part of the
Los Angeles boy.
Not an Uneven Match.
The match was by no means an uneven
affair even though in the closing rounds
the San Francisco boy was doing all the
leading. II looked bad for Richie at
the outset, as Rivers crowded him and he
looked worried and tired. Rivers was
forcing the battle and landing left hooks
which Ritchie seemed unable to avoid. In
the third round the champion was badly
iolted and looked mighty tired as the re-
suit of a hard left hook that Rivers
landed the pair were coming out of
one of their clnches. II set Richie on
the defensive Immediately, and caused
ringside Betting that had favored the
local man at 10 to to switch suddenly
with Rivers the choice at 2 to /.
And right there was where Joe Rivers
lost any possib!e> chance of winning the
fight lie might. by croVding Richie.
have hurt the San Franciscan. AS 1t
was he contended himself with a good
lead for the round.
The fifth round gave Richie the con-
fidence that he needed. His blows be-
fore seemed to have little force and there
was a tired look on his face. Then
In the fifth he took command Of the
situation. did the forcing and landed short
jolts that must have been effective.
Rivers lost his aggressiveness and with
a cut over the left eye and his mouth
split didn't appear anxious to mix things.
From that time on 1t was Richie
fight and he showed much Of old Joe
Gang cleverness in meeting the Mexican 8
rushes Rivers probably never will be q
champion. as he showed mental s.ownsss
and lack of bulldog pluck when the fight
went against him. Richie proved he was
a champion by his heady fight against a
dangerously awkward man and his clever
ness in stopping his PUSHES.