IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1617, 7 December 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

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FOUND-A NEW CHAMPION. December 11.—Portor v. Ilegarty, Hastings. Deoomber 21.—Ellis v. Taylor, Auckland. Docomber 23.—Murphy v, Fleming, Auckland. January — .—Jimmy Hill v. J. Hegarty, Christohurch. Good-bye to Adolph Wolgast, The loss of a world's ohampionship was cabled out during tho week in these terms. Thoy sufficiently explain the arrival of one champion, and the exit of another: At Daly City, California, Ritchie defeated Ad. Wolgast, winning the light-weight championship. Tho fight went tho sixteen rounds, Wolgast steadily losing. Both tho men fought like tigers throughout. Thoy bled freely from face blows, and Wolgast's teeth also suffered. In the sixteenth round Wolgast hit low, and the referee awarded tho match to Ritchie upon a foul. There was a tremendous crowd, and the decision generally was received with satisfaction. Tho early rounds were very oven.. Thiß event was foreshadowed by W. W. Naughton, tho "Referee's" American correspondent, in his,last letter, when he wrote: — ' Mention has been made of the fact that ohampion Wolgast is to fight for Coffroth at Daly City, near here, on Thanksgiving Day. Coffroth has been unable to select Wolgast's opponent eo far, the principal reason being that Wolgast insists upon appearing in short bouts every few days. It is necessary, of course, to see whether the ohampion meets with anything savouring of a Coffroth's idea is that if any 6hort-bout specialist were to make things 'decidedly uncomfortable for the i champion, a demand for a ohampionship bout between tho pair would arise. Evidently this "demand for a .ohampionship" bout did arise, and, evidently also, Wolgast, in accordance with hia usual practice in these cases, elected to take on Ritchie—practically a new-comer —as a front-ranker. No doubt to his mind this would be "easier" than "Joo" Mandot or "Joo" Rivers, who both would seem to have greater claims than Ritchie to a championship contest. . You Cannot Side-step for Ever. However, Master Ad. miscalculated, and has paid the penalty. Moreover, he can look for no sympathy at all from the American public, for, as pointed out in this column.several times when his evasiveness has been under discussion, he has set public opinion firmly against him by his constant side-stepping: of challenges ! that were likely to cause him trouble, and his penchant for meeting easy marks oyer short-distance bouts, instead of allowing his title to be fought for in the open field. The moral of it all seems to be just this: A man cannot go on ping for ever. Wm. Ritchie—Opportunist. The new ohampion, "Willie" Ritchie, came into prominence very suddenly some months ago on the occasion of what was to have been the meeting of Wolgast with Freddy Welsh, the English champion. It will be remembered that this meeting made a great stir, arid that a great crowd had gathered to see what promised to bo one ot the best light-weight battles of modern times. Also will it be remembered how on the very eve of the battle Wolgast was laid low by an attack of appendicitis, and was operated upon, ana, for some timo, lay at death's door—from which time, by the way, has dated his falling from grace. Naturally enough, tho disappointment of the big crowd was great, and, to tone it down somewhat, Welsh, himself (naturally bitterly disappointed at losing his ■ chance of a ohampionship), was asked to ;.bo*i the.',distance ; .with .a local same-"Willie!' Ritchie.;' This was i-,41k boy's ohance, and he took it in both hands. Welsh was rather upset at. the defeat of his hopes in tho Wolgast affair, and, at first, did not trouble much about Ritchie, but he soon realised that it was by no means ft "bye" that he was boxing. Ho won the contest all right,, but had to exert himself to do it, and the gallant battle put up by his opponent—then «dad with only a local reputation—atttt&sted much attention. Since that day Ritchie has been given matches with the top-rank light-weights, and has confirmed his first good impression, but he lias never been looked upon as a likely champion thus early in the game. One thing is assured: He will havo to battle hard to keep his newly-won honours, and things in the light-weight circles for a while should bo decidedly interesting. We may expect to hear from "Hughie" Mohegan in this connection very shortly nfter December 16—that is if he wins from "Freddy" Welsh on that date at the National Sporting Club, london. • ' Why Keys Let Us Down. Last week tho Wellington Association reoeived word from Mr. J. Barr, its Australian representative in Sydney, explaining the cancellation by "Hock" Keys of his proposed match with J. Hegarty. The reason given by Mr. Barr was much on tho line foreshadowed by the writer last week. By virtue of his great showing against "Herb." M'Coy, Keys was considered by Mr. M'lntosn—under engagement to whom he is at present—to bo too good a drawing-card to be allowed to leave Sydnoy, nnd, as an opponent was wanted for Jean Poesy last Saturday, Keys was detailed for duty'. There is somo balm for last week's disappointment, however, in the news that Ivoys's contract with Mr. M'lntosh expires with the current year, so that he will bo free if required in January. Tho Wellington Association ,is considering the advisability of making the match then; but thero are, obstacles in the way. In tho first place Hegarty is under engagement to meet the Sydney feather, "Jimmy" Hill, in Christonuron, in January. Also as Keys lias a9ked for two XIOO purse contests in New Zealand, it is necessary to find odo of the other associa- • .tions who will put up this amount. On tho previous occasion tho Northern Association was wilting to do so. but now the Auckland peoplo have completed their arrangements for a tournament, so cannot participate in tho Keys boom. The Groat Northern Tournament. Tho Auckland carnival, under the auspices of the Northern 8.A., mentioned above, is dated for December 21 and 23, and it promises to bo a big thing in tournaments. Tlioro is to bo a professional contest on each ovening, with good amateur bouts "on tho sido." Tho big ovont of the first night will bo Frank Ellis, of Wellington, versus George Taylor, of Melbourne, said to bo tho present "feather" champion of West Australia. Tho preliminaries will bo Brown v. Ornstein, bantams, Cadman v. Cook; light-weights, and Bennett v. ICutncr. This last-named "go" lias a local interest, as Kutnor is, of course, tho Wellington boxer of that ilk, and Bennott is the South Canterbury champion. Oil tho second night "Denny" Murphy will bo pitted against Maurice Fleming, a Sydnoy boxer whoso fame has not travelled thirf far, but who has satisfied tho Auckland critics of his worthiness to show among the good ones. Tho amateur bouts will consist of Mackay v. Powell, bantams, Monzies v. Thompson, lights, Wright v. Sparrow, feathers (naturally, Sparrow, would bo), and Lewis v. Berger, welters." Tho Roturn of Smith. "Dave" Smith is erpeoted to arrive in Sydney to-day. Ho has been gathered into tho M'lntosli fold, and it is likeijp that his first opponent will be "Les' O'Donnell. Smith's American tour, terminating with his defeat by Leo Houclc, in a sixround bout in Philadelphia on November 18, has been a singularly unfortunate one for n boxer of his undoubted capabilities, and there is no doubt that ho will.be Kind to get back again to the scene of his early triumphs. 1 Poor Little Paul Til. "Sid" Sullivan added one more triumph to tho Australian record against the Frenchmen on Wednesday night, when he defoated Paul Til in the "tenth round, the visitor sending in the towel at that etace, &3 a cign that he had had enough, 1