Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-03
RITcHlE-wELsH MATCH.
Event for Worlds Lightwei9ht Pusi- iistic Championship Will Soon Be Pulled of.

With the Ritchie-Welsh match for the worlds lightweight championship less than a week away, this event will help to dfspel the unsavory aftermath of the big heavyweight affair. With the little men there is no question as to the honesty of their intentions. It is not necessary in this case to point out that the champion is not likely to fake, for this or, that reason. 1t is taken for granted that the bout will be strictly on the level.
 From all accounts a tremendous crowd will be on hand to see the bat tie, although in point of interest it must give way to the Smith -Carpen- tier match. At present England is even more concerned about having the F'renchman, Carpenter. defeated, than over the prospects of annexing the lightweight title.
 Since he arrived in England Ritchie has created a very favorable impress sion by his modest bearing and the earnest way he goes about his prep arations for the match. Ritchie's first move was to issue an open invitation to all and sundry to come and spar with him at his training quarters.
 A number of 1ightweights and well terweights accepted and Ritchie has not been lacking in sparring partners. Ritchie's willingness to display his form in this fashion has created some thing of 8 sensation and has done much to remove the impression that he lacks championship calibre, which resulted when the reports of his de- feat by Charley White reached Eng land.
 Ritchfe's straight standing, clean cut style of milling has made a hit with the English critics. although at first there was 8 tendency to critioise his skill on the defense. But after he had had time to loosen the kinks in his muscles and got his right cross working properly 1t was generally ad- mitted that he far surpasses the Eng fish champion when 1t comes to hard hitting
 Since Welsh returned to England he has kept busy giving out interviews telling of his troubles in obtaining a match and how he expects to win While doing full justice to his own prowess, Welsh's remarks sound req sonable enough, however.
 Welsh says he has always made a point of seeing Ritchie's fights, so that he could size him up properly. He thinks Ritchie's best performance was his battle with Leach Cross in Mad isoh Square Garden
 'Ritchie rather surprised me in that contest" says Welsh. He showed both good headwork' and hard hitting and I must admit he has improved since I beat him in Los Angeles. That was the best fight Ritchie ever put up however. Since then he has not done nearly so we'll I saw him fight Mur- phy and I thought he had fallen of in his work. He would have been easy for me that night. I missed his bout with White, but from reports read and what heard through other channels I am sure he did not display his real form. He probably happened to have an off night, and White was lucky enough to catch him with harc punch in the first round. I am sure that he is Whites master"
 Regarding himself, Welsh said: e don't think I have gone back any. ! may be little slower than I wak some years ago, but I have gained 1T | experience. I am sure that I am stiI Willie's master. and I can't begin tc 1 say how pleased I am to get ths | chance to prove it."