The Washington herald., 1914-09-13
MANY ARE AFTER
WELSRSCROWN.
Escape Of English Lightweight
from War Zone Causing
Renewal of Challenge.
ALL ARE AFTER TITLE
American Fighters Are cIsmonns for
Whack at Championship
Smith After Willard.

New York. Sept. 12.-The escape Of
Freddie Welsh and Gunboat Smith from
the base of war operations on the other
side win give boxing in this country Just
the impetus required to keep the sport
from the. despondent state that threat
ened It when the European powers start
ed to extermInate one another.
The return Of Welsh to peaceful soil
will stir up the light-weights who are
obsessed with the idea that they have a
chance to dethrone the English king OF
lS3-pounders. Smiths return TO his home
heath means that the heavyweight d.
vision will TEEN with renewed activity.
and that the white hopes viii again
infest US.
When while RItchIe came home a
while ago minus his worlds lightweight
championship, the men who daily with
the gloves at 1s3 pounds did not fall over
themselves in their hurry to engage
Ritchie In battle. The American cham
pionship was not incentive enough for
them. 1t was an empty title. according
to their way OF thinking, and there was
no occasion to boost Ritchie's stock by
insisting on fighting him. and thus en-
hance Willie's drawing powers.
After Freddie welEh.
But now that We have Freddie Welsh,
the worlds undisputed lightweight
champion. in our midst-among us, and
of us-well, that's somewhat different
Already the light-weights are Chamber
ing for a whack at Welsh And only a
few months ago Freddie was being avoid
ed like q pestilence.- Truly, what a diff
ference a few months-and a worlds
ttle-make.
There is every reason to believe that
Welsh viii not put on the gloves for a
real ring battle for quite a number OF
months; surely not before the year Is
out. First, Frederick will insist that the
light" boys participate in an elimina-
tion tournament. and he will oblIge by
taking on the winner. This series, re-
gardless OF where 1t is conducted, will
take US far into the winter. Meantime,
while waiting for a suitable opponent.
Welsh will gather in as much easy mon
ey as can be earned by telling the Amer
lean public from behind the footlights
how he vanqulshed our noble champion,
one Willie Ritchie.
Only Three I'm Glass.
At present there are only three light
weights of note whose past performances
warrant a meeting with the champion.
Willie Richie, as ex-champion, is en-
titled to a return match. Charley white,
as conqueror OF Ritchie before Willie
was enticed to his doom (pugilistically
conversing),' is deserving OF a chance.
Then there is our own Leachie Cross
Cross would give Welsh the battle OF
his life. 1t is asking a good deal OF
Welsh to select Cross as his first ad-
versary, but IL Freddie could dispose OF
Leachie In a manner that would leave
no doubt Of his superiority. then the
Britons would be clasSed with the regu-
lar champions.
1t Is not at all unlikely that Welsh
will engage In his first battle, since he
acquired the title, right here in this city.
Manager Harry Pollok has suggested
that Ritchle and White fight II out; then
the winner tackle Cross, the victor OF
the latter bout to. be chosen as Welsh's
first opponent.
Have Return Match.
Ritchie and White have practically
signed for a return meeting at Milwau-
kee. Meanwhile, Cross is traversing the
country meeting any worthy foe and
picking up quite a wad Of loose currency.
Cross is firm in his belief that II given
a chance at Welsh the Hebrew race
would have a lightweight champion for
the first time in history.
Already great interest is being mani
tested in the doinEs of the cumbersome
fellows. Gunboat Smith viii not have to
wait long to get into action. for before
he even stepped on Yankee soil he was
the recipient OF a bevy OF challenges.