Willie Ritchie

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Willie Ritchie

Statistics
Real name Gerhardt Anthony Steffen
Rated at 115–145 lbs.[1]
Height 5 ft 6.25 in (1.68 m)[1]
Reach 26½″ [2]
Nationality United States
Birth date February 13, 1891(1891-02-13)
Birth place San Francisco, California
Death date March 24, 1975
Death place Burlingame, California
Stance orthodox[2]
Boxing record
Total fights 80[2]
Wins 48[2]
Wins by KO 8[2]
Losses 13[2]
Draws 18[2]

Willie Ritchie (born Gerhardt Anthony Steffen, February 13, 1891 – March 24, 1975), was the world lightweight boxing champion from 1912 to 1914.[3] [1]

[edit] Biography

Ritchie (left) in his title fight against Ad Wolgast, 1912.
Ritchie (left) in his title fight against Ad Wolgast, 1912.

Ritchie was born in San Francisco, California.[3][1] He began his boxing career in 1907 under the assumed name of "Willie Ritchie" so that his mother wouldn't know.[3]

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.[4]

He held the title for two years, successfully defending it four times.[3] In 1914, he sailed to London to face the British lightweight champion, Freddie Welsh. Welsh won the 20-round match by decision.[5][3]

After losing his title, Ritchie continued to fight until retiring in 1927.[3] In 1937, he became chief inspector for the California State Athletic Commission, a position he held until 1961.[6][3]

He was inducted in the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962.[6] He died in Burlingame, California in 1975.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Willie Ritchie. The Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia (2008-01-07). Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g boxer: Willie Ritchie. BoxRec. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h IBHOF / Willie Ritchie. International Boxing Hall of Fame (2004-01-10). Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  4. ^ "Wolgast, Tottering, Fouls Ritchie; Referee Disqualifies Champion in Sixteenth Round of California Fight." (PDF), The New York Times, November 29, 1912, p. 13. Retrieved on 2008-04-28. 
  5. ^ Associated Press. "Ritchie Expected a Draw. American Says He Did All the Fighting and Welsh Held On." (PDF), The New York Times, July 8, 1914, p. 10. Retrieved on 2008-04-28. 
  6. ^ a b Associated Press. ""Willie Ritchie Dies at 84; Ex-Lightweight Champion" (PDF, fee required), The New York Times, 1975-03-27, p. 28. Retrieved on 2008-04-28. 
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