FIGHTERS AGREE ON REFEREE JACK WELCH

--------------

     The fight between Ad Wolgast and Fred Welsh on Thanksgiving Day for the lightweight championship of the world will be held as scheduled.

     Jack Welch of San Francisco will be referee, The weight will be 133 pounds at 2:30 o’clock or one half hour before entering the ring.  Last night Fred Welsh posted the remaining $1500 of his $2500 forfeit for appearance in the ring.

     These details were decided upon at a conference held in the rooms of the Pacific Athletic Club at No. 535 South Broadway last night.  Those present at the conference were Uncle Tom McCarey, Referee Charles Eyton, Tom Jones, Ad Wolgast, Fred Welsh, Dick Wheeler, and Hobo Dougherty.

     The meeting lasted from 7 o’clock until almost 9 o’clock and at times  rupture was imminent and the big night hung in the balance.

     Wolgast was not present when the meeting began and Tom Jones and Fred Welsh had a wordy war over the charge made by Welsh that Jones had tampered with the original articles.  Uncle Tom McCarey started to pacify the two and became so heated he himself that within a few minutes he had leaped from his seat and declared that both of the fighters’ managers and everybody else could do as they pleased and the fight could be called off.

     Eyton acted this time as peacemaker and lo and behold within a few minutes he was holding onto the arms of his chair tightly and talking in a  rasping voice to Jones about certain matters of difference that had not been settled.

     Welsh interjected a word at this point and offered to have the names of Eddie Graney, James J. Jefferies, Eddie Hanlon, Charles White, Jack McGuiggan, or Uncle Tom McCarey placed in a hat and the first out would be the referee.

     “Not in a million years,” yelled Jones, “I have a champion and you bet that we dictate terms this time.  Why, Welsh, you are getting more money for the loser’s end in this fight than Wolgast got winning the world’s championship over Bat Nelson.  We did not have a word to say then and you bet we name the referee or there is no fight.”

     Hubbub arose and the outlook for the match was very slim until the door opened and little Adolph Wolgast walked into the council chamber.  Jones arose from his seat and gave it to Ad and the little Dutchman wanted to know what all of the trouble was over.

     Welsh and Wolgast began talking and in the entire room were the only two perfectly calm and peaceful men.  The managers, promoters, etc., were wrothy and continually jumping up and down in their chairs but the two little fighters were peacefully and pleasantly talking over the matter.

     The upshot of the matter was that Welsh said to Wolgast.

     “All right, Ad.  She is a go.”

     You’re on Fred.” Answered Wolgast and the two young fellows with the fight of their lives ahead of them shook hands warmly and the meeting adjourned.

Sunday, November 19, 1911

Los Angeles Sunday Times

Los Angeles, California

ODDS AGAINST WELSH

ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND

---------------

Wolgast Should Be at His Best, but Britisher’s Record Does Not Justify Betting

---------------

By W.W.Naughton

     Word comes from Los Angeles that Ad Wolgast will sell at 2 to 1 over Freddie Welsh in the betting, if not at 10 to 4.  It is believed that the settlement of the referee question in Wolgast’s favor influenced the odds.

     It is known that Jack Welch’s ideas as to what constitutes legitimate fighting at close quarters are identical with the Wolgast notions of  “inside work,” and such being the case, there is soundness in the argument that Wolgast should show at his very best in the Vernon arena on Thanksgiving Day.

     Even if Tom Jones were slated for referee such odds as 10 to 4 seem ridiculous when Freddie Welsh'’ career as a fighter is taken into consideration.  It is acknowledged that Packey McFarland is by far the most dangerous rival looming in Champion Wolgast'’ path, yet this English lad Welsh made a very close thing of it on three separate occasions with McFarland.  Right now if opinions were taken on both sides of the Atlantic there would be difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to which of the boys—Fred or Packey—had the better of the series of bouts.

     One thing inability that keeps Welsh from being popular with the betting fraternity is his alleged inability to inflict punishment.  The word alleged is used advisedly, for it is just possible that Welsh, when the occasion demands, can deal a harder blow than his critics give him credit for.

     Among Freddie’s admirers the claim is made that Welsh can sting and slash with the best of them, but that he is a careful workman and wastes no more effort than is necessary in accomplishing an opponent’s defeat.  It is thought when Freddie and Ad get to mixing it at Los Angeles the notion that Welsh is a light hitter will soon fade.

     Certainly Welsh will have to put in his best licks in the coming contest.  The affair will be the turning point in his career.  It is the “chance at the championship” which he began clamoring for during the Battling Nelson regime and did not lose sight of for an instant when Wolgast relieved Nelson of his laurels.

“Bleacher Seats $5.”

     This is the line from the prices of admission to the Wolgast-Welsh championship at Los Angeles.

     ‘Twas ever thus.  When the price of any of life’s commodities was raised, no matter whether it was the producer, the middleman, or the retail dealer who boosted the price, the poor consumer—that is, the general public—had to stand the brunt of the entire advance.

     Wolgast is to be paid $13,500 for his services in the Vernon arena and the occupants of the cheap seats are to be severely mulcted in order that Promoter McCarey may comply with the champion’s “inordinate demands.”  For a bleacher seat at a contest of the caliber of the Welsh-Wolgast affair two dollars in silver money is a fair exchange, so that each of the galleryites will be paying 150 per cent more than he should.

     It’s enough to make the “regulars” in the southern city root for the success of Freddie Welsh, the underdog.

Wednesday, November 22, 1911

San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco, California

WOLGAST PICKS ROUND IN WHICH HE’LL WIN

--------------

     “Say, you just watch me fight this Welsh if you want to see something,” declared Wolgast yesterday.  “I think I’ll make him stop between the seventeenth and eighteenth rounds and possibly sooner.”

    “How many times did you ever know me to have the wrong dope on the number of rounds.  Welsh will find that he won’t have any Harry Trendalls, Bat Nelsons, or Careys to fight when I get in the ring with him.  He stuck that left fist of his in their faces, but you will find it won’t stop me.  I don’t mind these things.  I may not stop him in three rounds, but I am going after him.”

Thursday, November 23, 1911

Los Angeles Daily Times

Los Angeles, California