South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-17
WILLIE Richie
MODEL CHAMP ION
Former King of LightweightS
Never Refused to Fight Any
of the Strongest in His Class
yellow Streak Lacking.
BY FRANK G. MENKE.

NEW YORK, Aug. IT. - Willie
Richie was a model champion. There
are a number of persons who have
| been heaving brickbats at Willie since
Freddie Welsh took away his world
champion title, but glance over
Ritchies record shows that he never
ducked real fighter Richie, unlike
the champions in the other divisions
and unlike the champions in his class
that preceded him, was not q lemon
picker.
When Richie fought he gave the
crowd the best he had. With Willie
as one OF the principals. the crowd was
sure that at least one party in the
fighting contract would give the fans
run for their money Richie never
stalled-even his bitterest enemies
cannot charge him with that.
While he held the championship he
took on the best men in his class. He
met Joe Rivers when the Mexican was
at the zenith OF his career. He tackled
Leach Cross in New York and that
scrap was one of the greatest ever
staged in this town 1t was a hammer
and tongS affair from the tap of the
first gong. Richie mixed and slugged.
He never backed away from that ter
rife punch that Cross carries. He was
boxing every minute of the way.
He fought such a fight with every
thing to lose and nothing to gain. The
defeat of Cross could not add much
glory to his name His defeat by
Cross meant the loss OF the title.
WolgaSt, from whom Richie took
the title, scoffed at Ritchie's prowess.
He reiterated hundred times that if
they ever met again he would be able
to regain the crown. Ritchie took him
on in Milwaukee-andR Richie won
Richie met Tommy Murphy, in re-
Spouse to Pacific coast demands. They
figured there that Murphy would beat
him. Murphy, before the battle, was
highly touted. Richie made Murphy
look like punching bag during the
battle. Ritchie met Charley White in
Milwaukee, one of the toughest men
in the lightweight division. Out there
the fans say White gave Richie a
beating. Richie denies it. But Ritchie
says he is perfectly willing to take
on White again at any time a sufficient
purse is offered.
Welsh. He knew before going that
he either would have to knock out the
Briton or lose. The American style
of aggreSSiveneSS doesn't figure there
except against him. The ducking and
running counts for points. Ritchie
knew that-he knew that such a way
was Welsh's style. But he didn't
that he doesn't own a yellow streak.
Richie was a popular champion
He made friends with the fans because
he was willing to give them the
best he had. And that was consider
able OF course, Richie haggled a
lot about his price. But that's what
every other man does. He wants the
most he can get for his services.
Arthur Pelky has announced his re-
tirement from the ring. He never has !
been able to get back his nerve since !
his fight with Luther McCarty. It |
was Pelky's blow in the second round !
that sent McCarty down TO his death. |
The shock of McCarty's death unset |
tied Pelky's nerves and he never since |
has fought even a fair fight. There
always was a sort of timidity about
his actions. He was afraid to hit
Johnny Coulon, former bantam
champion, has made a big hit with the
members Of the Working Boys home
in Chicago. He presented them with
$1,000-the money paid to him as a
guarantee for his appearance in the
ring with Kid williams OF Baltimore.
Johnny lost his title in that scrap, but
he made good his promise. And with
the Chicago lads he is a king.