Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-08
PROMOTERS FIGHTING SHY
Freddie Welsh's Unpopularlty
Makes Promoters Steer Clear OF
Match with Big Purse.
WELSH IS WILLING TO MIX

NEW YORK, Aug. THE present sit
uation in the lightweight class presents
some decidedly peculiar angles. Here we
have Freddie welsh. the most unpopular
champion who ever held the honors, ap-
parently ready to fall before the first
good man he meets, yet no promoter
seems willing to offer large enough
purse for a championship match.
To do Welsh justice It must be admitted
that he probably would accept II suit
able offer was made for ttular battle
with a decision at stake. no matter who
his opponent might be. At any rate, his
long record indicates that he has seldom
shirked the issue, although since he won
the title he has not defended 1t In real
battle. No doubt he is not in the least
anxious to risk the honors. as he must
realize that his best days are over. But
until a championship purse is offered he
has good excuse for sticking to the
safe and sane no-decision game.
The peculiar feature OF the affair Is
that Welsh Is so unpopular the promoters
are afraid to offer large purse. Thus
the fact that he Is such an unsatisfactory
performer is his greatest safeguard
Just at present there are two very
strong contenders in Johnny Dundee and
Charley White. II California were still
open to boxing popular opinion would
force Welsh to meet one OF these men,
and the sporting world could look for
ward to another champion with some de-
gree of confidence. AS matters stand the
best that can be expected is another
round OF no-decision affairs.
II Welsh and the local promoters care
to cater to the popular demand. either
Dundee or White will be selected for his
opponent. Apparently Willie Richie.
who was to meet Welsh at Brighton
Beach, has backed out OF the match, and
that clears the way. Richie has sent
word that the best weight he will make
Is l3s at o'clock. That should be enough
TO eliminate the Californian. II Richie
is a welterweight he should fight in that
class. II he is too lazy to train he Is not
wanted around here.
AS a matter of fact there is no par
ticular reason why Richie should have
the match. Considering his rather limited
ability he has had more opportunities
than he really deserves. and II is time
AOA MN u step dAuc IN ihNOE Oh n DelNeF
man. Even II Ritchle did regain the
title, boxing In general would be very
little better off. The moneymad Cali
fornian Is altogether too much taken up
with stage work to be a satisfactory
champion.
Charlie White. through his manager,
comes forth with strong appeal for
support in his efforts 10 coax Welsh into
a championship battle. After calling at
tention to the fact that White has struck
his natural pace" and has knocked out
six men in a row and flsttened eight of
his last nine opponents. he accuses Welsh
OF having run out Of the proposed match
at Denver. Whites pilot goes on TO say:
"A few short weeks ago Welsh as
blatanty announcing that he was ready
and willing TO meet White in a title
match, and II he could get his terms he
would put his John Henry to a set of
articles In a fifty. Thinking his jabber-
ing was in good faith. worked night
and day and finally dug up the PROPOSE
ton he demanded. And right there and
then Mr.. Freddie crawled into a hole
and must surely have pulled the hole in
after him. You couldn't get a peep out
OF him now with a thirty-two-inch
howitEer."