Evening journal., 1915-03-01

On that statement, New York State
has majority of one champion over
California.
However, California will doubtless
claim that Jeffries is one of its cham
pions. JEFF was born at Carroll, Ohio.
If the claim for JEFF is allowed, then
New York State naturally claims
Frank Erne of Buffalo, who is a ma
tive of Switzerland.
New York can, on the Jeffries basis,
also lay claim to George Dixon ana
Fitz, both of whom became residents
of this city, although born elsewhere,
California also lays claim to the light
weight title in behalf of Britt The
young man never won that title Ii is
true that Britt beat both Erne and
Lavigne, but both were ex-champions
at the time.
Later on. when Britt had a chance
to win the title from Cans. Britt lost
one battle TO the negro on foul and
was knocked out in the other contest
with the Baltimorean.
But New York has in Jack Britton,
native OF Clinton. n. Y, an offset
for Britt. The native son had chance
to win the title and could not Britton
could win the title if he got a chance.
From all points of pugilistic view,
California runs a bad second 10 New
York.
Ad Wolgast recently turned author
to discuss the momentOus problem
of "the present-day lightweights.
Wolgast pans every one and every
body, but, most of all. he turns his
venom loose on Freddie Welsh and
| Willie Ritchie. Charlie White is let
down with a triile more consideration.
likely due to the fact that the VOL
gast interview printed here appeared
in Chicago paper.
Strange to relate. Wolgast has lost
the animosity toward Battling Nelson,
Of whom he was never particularly
fond; but time is a great eradicator
of anger, so IL seems. The Dutchman
has plenty of chaps at whom he still
points the finger of scorn. and his re-
view of the champion and the cham
pionship possibilities is more or less
scream.
First of all, Wolgast's discourses
I learnedly on poundage. remarking
there is no longer any such thing as
a 135-pound division.
]
says Ad. but as far as making the
weight, the class is a joke. | can
name all the real lightweights on one
hand. and as for the rest. including
Freddie Welsh. they belong in the
welterweight division. Welters or
lights / still think | can beat them"
As BELTS the champion, Welsh is
| given first position by Wolgast, who
pays his respects as follows.
! Thinks Welsh n Frost.
welsh. above all champions. is the
biggest joke of them all. Bat Nelson
hung the title of cheese champion on
me after laced him. but, believe me
the Battler never saw the Englishman
in action. He's the biggest frost fight
ing in the ring today, or any other
day. If you listen to me-"
White is handed a sort of reverse
| English compliment. II Is hardly a
good rap. but not exactly a pleasing
sentiment.
white is a nice boy" is the way
Ad patronizes the Chicagoan. but he
has not the pep TO make a real boss
OF the division. He is one bird I am
ready TO meet any time some promot-
er says the word. He sneaked through
on popular decision when he met me
before and naturally / want another
whirl at him.
BE that as it may. White has
everything a fighter needs except the
ambition to fight have always said
that he cares too much about hi.
looks 10 be tOp-notcher. and I still
cling TO this opinion But give hin
little sEgressiveness and the oil,
q fighting instinct and he would be
= bear But any time he hooks al
. with Welsh in twenty rounds I'll TAX
] a ticket on Freddie In ten thing
e might be different"
e And now we're getting down 10 tn
=, real peppery portion Of the article
the reference to Ritchie. To his dy
. ing day Wolgast isn't likely to forge
E that Ritchie won the title on foul. |
rankles. II you don't think so, glanc
al the following:
willie Ritchie is impossible. II
, never was great fighter and he &c
p the luckiest kind OF a break whe
: he won the title from me on n fou
Outside of Welsh he is the best Pre-