Willie Ritchie
Encyclopedia
Willie Ritchie was the world lightweight boxing champion from 1912 to 1914.
He was born in San Francisco, California
as Gerhardt Anthony Steffen on February 13, 1891. He began his boxing career in 1907 under the assumed name of "Willie Ritchie" so that his mother wouldn't be aware of his career.
Ritchie's first title shot in a match with lightweight champion Ad Wolgast
on November 28, 1912 in San Francisco. Ritchie dominated the fight, and after Wolgast landed two blows below the belt in the sixteenth round, the referee called the fight for Ritchie.
He held the title for two years, successfully defending it four times. In 1914, he sailed to London to face the British lightweight champion, Freddie Welsh
. Welsh won the 20-round match by decision.
After losing his title, Ritchie continued to fight until retiring in 1927. In 1937, he became chief inspector for the California State Athletic Commission
, a position he held until 1961.
He was inducted in the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in Burlingame, California in 1975.
Biography
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
as Gerhardt Anthony Steffen on February 13, 1891. He began his boxing career in 1907 under the assumed name of "Willie Ritchie" so that his mother wouldn't be aware of his career.
Ritchie's first title shot in a match with lightweight champion Ad Wolgast
Adolph Wolgast
Adolphus Wolgast , nicknamed Michigan Wildcat, was a world lightweight boxing champion.-Biography:He was born on 8 February 1888, his siblings were, fellow boxers Johnny Wolgast and Al Wolgast....
on November 28, 1912 in San Francisco. Ritchie dominated the fight, and after Wolgast landed two blows below the belt in the sixteenth round, the referee called the fight for Ritchie.
He held the title for two years, successfully defending it four times. In 1914, he sailed to London to face the British lightweight champion, Freddie Welsh
Freddie Welsh
Freddie Welsh was a Welsh lightweight boxing champion. Born in Pontypridd, Wales, and christened Frederick Hall Thomas, he was nicknamed the "Welsh Wizard". Brought up in a tough mining community, Welsh left a middle-class background to make a name for himself in America...
. Welsh won the 20-round match by decision.
After losing his title, Ritchie continued to fight until retiring in 1927. In 1937, he became chief inspector for the California State Athletic Commission
California State Athletic Commission
The California State Athletic Commission regulates professional boxing, professional and amateur kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events....
, a position he held until 1961.
He was inducted in the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in Burlingame, California in 1975.