Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-07-08
LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IS
GIVEN DECISION OVER WILLIE R|TCH|E
American Loses On Points--Fighters Go the Complete
Twenty-round Do Not Like
The Referees Finding.

London, July Sired Welsh, light
weight champion of England, defeat
ed Willie Richie on points in their
twenty round fight for the lightweight
championship of the world yesterday.
IN the opening rounds. Welsh scored
fifth, however, Richie forced the
fighting, and in this and the next two
rounds there were some sharp ex-
changes and heavy infghting in which
Richie generally got the upper hand.
Several times the American was
cautioned for holding in clinches. In
the eighth, Welsh revived his liveli-
ness, and for two POUNDS forced the
fighting. and had the best Of the en-
counter.
When the match was half over
Welsh led easily on points. Richie
revived somewhat in the eleventh and
the next three rounds were his. Then
both slowed up. In the seventeenth
Richie got home a number of sharp
body blows, but in the eighteenth
Welsh obtained more points, causing
his opponents lip to bleed, In the
nineteenth, Richie forced the fight
ing, but again in the twentieth, the
swiftest session Of the whole fight,
Welsh increased his advantage.
Some dissatisfaction among Amer
lean spectators was evidenced at the
decision, because neither mar was
bested at the finish. Although Welsh
scored the greater number of blows,
Ritchie's appeared more telling. The
British victory was cheered to the
echo.
The fight took place at Olympia,
and the 5000 spectators witnessed a
fast and clever bout. Rapid footwork
and a good deal Of i%nfighting were
pronounced features.
Fine Exhibition.
1t was a fine exhibition Of boxing
throughout. Neither a went to the
floor and the struggle during the last
six rounds was Of q hurricane charac-
ter. Welsh was the quicker and tap
ped Richie repeatedly on the face,
finally drawing blood. The American
tried continually for q knockout. but
either he was short or Welsh got inside
or under the swing.
Richie Breaks Down.
Richie broke down when the decis-
ION was given against him and was In
room. He refused to talk then, but
later at the hotel where he is stopping
he said:
but I do think the worst I should have
got was a draw. Welsh was holding
all the time and I was doing the rlght-
ing. Therefore I think the decision
was not fair to me-" Richie hurt his
right hand in the bout, but otherwise
was not much damaged except for q
few bruises on the face.
Fast Contest.
All Of the old-t,mers are agreed that
the contest was one OF the fastest and
finest exhibitions Of boxing witnessed
in London IN recent years. Some OF
them expressed the opinion that Ritch-
lie would have to come out on top In
a finish fight. The Welshman's foot
work and lodging were far quicker
than the Americans and he preferred
much OF the time to get to close quar-
tiers. where Richie could not use hil
powerful swings.
Too Much Holding.
There was altogether too much hold
ing throughout to please the English
spectators. During the last -four
rounds Richie forced the fighting
hard for a Knockout, while Welsh
plainly was playing to win . decistor
on points. The success OF the affatl
- tErEsH Xxx