Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-07-11
Richie Seeking &.
Chance to Regain
His. Lost Honors

London, July 10.-Willie Ritchies ID
deeply srieved over the loss of his
lightweight championship to Freddie
Welsh last Tuesday. night, and says
he believes the decision would have
been just the opposite, had the fight
been staged in the United Statek
by the decision Of the referee !
lost. but in the United States; l would
have been declared winner" Richie
said. I really was astonished when
Eugene CORR gave the victory to
Welsh. I expected a draw al least.
as I had been the aggressor through
out. Welsh is a postmaster at what
one may term negative boxing" new
er attacking except when in clinches.
Part of the time I was chasing Welsh
around the ring trying to get him
his head down, .lunge out and jump
back again like q bantam chick. He
displayed the skill of a dancing mas
ter. ... g.
wouldn't Be Permitted.
THAT style OF fighting apparently
is recognized here, but in the states
would not be tolerated. The COM
wanted, and If they refused they
would be hooted out Of the ring.
welsh rarely attempted to lead
and If 1 had pursued the same tao
tics there would have been no fight
and very few blows struck at all. :.
Welsh's Taps Harmless.
"My personal. appearance today
shows I suffered a slightly swollen -lio
contest. To show how Welsh'sS blows
lack sting I may add that last week
I bumped my head against my spar
ring partner and sustained a. cut over
my left y I had to veal a piece
OF plaster on the cut last night" 80
Welsh's wouldn't know which v was
cut and make for it. I wore plaster
over each. eye, and though the boat
lasted twenty rounds Welsh did not
the lack Of power in .Welsh's punches.
Wants Return Mill. ~
II don't wish to disparage his VIC
tory or attainments. Freddie Welsh
at his w game Is superb, but in my
opinion such tactics are absolutely,
foreign in real boxing. When we did
stand up to each other I gave Welsh
as good as he gave. That cannot be
denied. I shall do all in my power to
get Welsh to come. to San Francisco
in the near future and am satisfied I
shall reverse the verdict on the next
occasion. I want it understood I am
making no suggestion Of Incompetence
against Eugene CORR or against Brit
ish sportsmanship. I have nothing to
complain Of in that respect"
Dodges Heavy Blows.
Welsh said: :,
81 won. as I knew I would, because
I made up my mind not to go in for
the heavy exchanges. Richie is a big
ger mar IN I readily agree he pos
sesses a hard punch with all the dan
gers Of a, knockout. I made 1t my
business to see he did not test his
great hitting strength or me. I had
to make sure of my mar and the only
way to be sure was in making all the
and the number Of fights I have had
with men superior to Ritchie's oppo-
nents. and the fact.I know more gen
eralship, all told in my favor.
Takes No Chances.
'"I preferred to rely upon these
rather than risk a knockout. I felt
1 was master of the situation from
the first, although I must say Richie
fought Clearly and desperately to re-
box me, SO fell back upon his we'll
known right hand. blow. He certainly
fought with more confidence than he
showed in our: previous meeting. The
critical period for me was the. thir-
teenth round. Here I had a taste Of
Ritchie's blows and proof. Of his skill
when he. got through my guard. At
the end. however, I felt quite At and
could have gone another twenty
rounds, as I had made serious prep
arations for the contest"
Gold Belt Planned
A movement has been started to
present Welsh with a gold belt Of
recognition, as the victory brought
Great Britain another laurel in inter-
national sport. Welsh for the next
two months expects to give music hall
exhibitions. e" =