South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-12
WELSH-RIT
BOUT IS FIGHT
ONLY IN NAME
Willie Tries and Can't While
Freddie WOn't-EX-Champ
is Deserving of the Credit
For He Tried.

NEW YORK, March freddie
Welsh and Willie Richie fought the
tamest IO-round fight ever seen in
New York Thursday night. IL was a
terrible exhibition for two champions
and at the end il was almost impOs-
siOle 10 pick a winner. IL was really
a no contest decision. Richie did all
the forcing and if il came right down
TO a fine point deserved a shade.
Welsh blocked most Of his offerings
but landed the cleanest blows OF the
bout, fe-F as they were. Richie
showed that he lacked work and had
he had a few fights under his belt
since he lost his title last July in
London ne would have given Welsh
an artistic trimming
Welsh gave one OF the poorest ex-
hibitiOns for champion in the an
mails Of the game. He fought on the
defensive throughout. absolutely re-
fusing to stand up and exchange with
the Californian. He was as wild as a
March hare from start TO finish.
Richie deserved what credit there
was to be had. lie at least tried from
the minute ne climbed into the ring
and his one hope was to drop Welsh
Tor the count.
Start is Poor
Round Both men rushed out of
their corners. Richie was first To
lead a straight left Welsh ducked.
For a full minute they were in
Inch, neither landing a blow. Welsh
was the first 10 land. a long left TO
the nose. More wrestling followed
and as they broke out of "A clinch
Richie shot "a left 20 the jaw with a
little steam behind il. Each man
seemed to be content in sizing up the
others attack and there was little
fighting in this round. 1t was an
even round.
Round 2-They rushed out of their
corners and went into a Clinch.
Richie worked his right hand TO the
body at close quarters. Welsh jab-
bed twice with his left and missed a
hard right 10 the jaw. They did a lot
land. In long clinch Richie used
his forearm TO Freddie's jaw. Willie
stabbed a left 10 the face and re-
ceived a right uppercut in return.
Welsh tore in with head low and took
a hard right hook on the jaw. He
followed with another right TO the
face a few seconds later. At the bell
Willie planted another right to the
body IL was Willie's round.
Ritchic Docs Forcing.
Round 3-They came out Of their
corners fast in the third and Richie
swung many wild blo~s that found
no place but Welsh's nose. but ne
was not 10 De denied ana unally
planted a right to the stomach He
kept swinging for the body. out Welsh
picked off all the blows with his ell
bows. Freddie stepped back and
popped his left 20 the face. Richie
tried Willie Lewis old one-two
punch and landed high on the head.
Just as the bel rang Willie hooked
left TO the face. Richie did all
tho forcing in this round and deserved
the award.
Round 4.-They rushed from their
corners and Richie sent a light left
TO the head. Welsh then ripped two
lefts TO the head and shot a right to
the body. Welsh swung a left high
10 the head, jsbbed twice with the
same hand to Tne face and blocked a
vicious right that Richie offered in
return. Richie hooked a left TO the
head and they went into a clinch.
At the bell they were in close quar-
tiers with neither doing any damage.
It was Welsh's round.
Welsh Has shade.
Round 5-Ritchie led with left
and right I'm the fifth. but was far
short with both. Freddie stepped in
side OF another left and right and
went into q clinch. Welsh hooked a
left 10 the ear. They exchanged
straight lefts TO the face and Ritchie
missed a hard right 10 the jaw. 4