The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-04

Colorado Springs, Colo, Sept. A.
Two years ago in Greater London,
Freddie Welsh of Pontypridd, Wales,
wrested the lightweight boxing cham
pionship of the world from Willie
Ritchie, an American. Today before
these westerners he defends it against
an American in what is called Little
Lunnon,' this little mountain resort
of Colorado Springs, and for the first
time since he won the title Welsh is
booked to travel the 20-round route
with challenger Charlie White.
Probably never was a championship
battle fought in such quaint and pic
turesque surroundings. The gigantic
arena which has been srlendidly
erected for the fight rests in a grass
grown hollow four blocks from the
center of the town. To the east
stretches for miles and miles sun
burned prairie, while to the west, in
all it's stupendous glory, rises Pixies
Peak, a heap of brown granite, to an
elevation of $4,000 feet. Far up on
its tip a white ring of snow can just
be seen. Below to the west is the con-
tinenta1 divide, swathed in snow and
across which a western brs~Se gently
whipped today.
Interest Intense.
In this poetic setting thousands of
fight bugs raved early today, every
one an authority, every one a critic
shouting mind bets, predicting this,
predicting that and every other possf-
bility of a championship battle.
The only thing universally believed
was that when Freddie Welsh and
Charley White, the Chicago pretender,
sailed into each other this afternoon
there would be fight This was
based upon the frank ARRANGEMENT of
the fighters and their managers to bar
nothing in the method of fighting.
The only restriction placed upon the
champion and his opponent is that
which will prevent holding and hit
ting. Everything else goes-blows in
the break. kidney punches, cIinch
milling and what not of fighters
tricks. Everything's fair above the
belt.
Referee Billy Roche's announce
ment that the decision, if the fight
goes the full 20 rounds will be given
on points, also was we'll received.
No Stalling Goes.
THE first round counts as much as
the last" said Roche. "A flash fin
ish by either man will count no more
in the summary than sturdy battling
in the early rounds"
White and Welsh stuck to their
suburban cottages early today, as
they did Sunday. excepting a little
punching bag. Both men exhibited
no end of confidence and, SO far as
could be judged. betrayed no uneasi-
ness.
Harry Pollok, Welsh's manager and
Nate Lewis, Whites pilot, established
| themselves Sunday in the Antlers ho-
tel, where they were assailed with
suggestions by all manner of charac-
ters from hitherto aloof old dowagers
to pugs who are the camp dogs of all
| big bouts
| The rich lobby of that expensive re-
sort was in a constant din of gossip
| today Tanned giants of the west with
| wide brimmed hats discussed the COM
mon topic with sleek and dappel
statesmen from the east. Goats, bulg-
| ing at the hips, concealed more dead
ly things than pocket flasks. Fighi
bugs from all quarters of the wesi
streamed into the springs during ths
morning on special trains.
| A Motley Crowd.
| Miners from remote camps in the
hills, business men, clerks and toiler:
Continued on Page Two.)