Willie Ritchie
| Willie Ritchie | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Gerhardt Anthony Steffen |
| Nickname(s) | Willie |
| Weight(s) | 115–145 lb[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 6.25 in (1.68 m)[1] |
| Reach | 26½″ [2] |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | February 13, 1891 San Francisco, California |
| Died | March 24, 1975 Burlingame, California |
| Stance | orthodox[2] |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 77 |
| Wins | 45 |
| Wins by KO | 9 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Draws | 17 |
Willie Ritchie (born Gerhardt Anthony Steffen, February 13, 1891 – March 24, 1975), was the World lightweight champion from 1912 to 1914.[1][3]
Ritchie (left) in his title fight against Ad Wolgast, 1912.
Gerhardt Anthony Steffen was born in San Francisco, California on February 13, 1891.[1][3] He began his boxing career in 1907 under the name of "Willie Ritchie" so that his mother wouldn't be aware of his career.[3]
On July 16, 1908, he met future World Bantamweight Champion Jimmy Walsh at the Reliance Athletic Club in Oakland, California, and won a six-round points decision. Ritchie was one of the most accomplished opponents Reagan would met in his early career.
Ritchie's first title shot was with reigning 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.[3][5]
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.[3][6]
Ritchie was a 1962 inductee to The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame (disbanded in 1987),[6] and a 2004 inductee to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He died in Burlingame, California, in 1975.[3]
Professional boxing record[]
All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[7] unless otherwise stated.
Official record[]
| 77 fights | 33 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 23 | 8 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 16 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 17 | |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted as a win, loss or draw.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | showNotes |
|---|
Unofficial record[]
| 77 fights | 45 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 35 | 12 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 17 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | hideNotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Win | 45–14–17 (1) |  Dick Hoppe
|
PTS | 6 | Aug 29, 1927 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
|
| 76 | Win | 44–14–17 (1) | Bobby LaSalle
|
PTS | 6 | Aug 5, 1927 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
|
|
| 75 | Win | 43–14–17 (1) | Tommy Comiskey
|
KO | 4 (4) | Jun 28, 1927 | Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 74 | Loss | 42–14–17 (1) | Joe Simonich
|
PTS | 4 | Aug 20, 1924 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 73 | Win | 42–13–17 (1) | Buck Holley
|
PTS | 4 | May 31, 1923 | Stockton, California, U.S.
|
|
| 72 | Loss | 41–13–17 (1) | Benny Leonard
|
TKO | 8 (8) | Apr 28, 1919 | 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
|
|
| 71 | Win | 41–12–17 (1) | Benny Leonard
|
NWS | 4 | Feb 21, 1919 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 70 | Win | 40–12–17 (1) | Frankie Jones
|
PTS | 4 | May 10, 1918 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 69 | Loss | 39–12–17 (1) | Marty Farrell
|
PTS | 4 | Oct 10, 1917 | Arena, Emeryville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 68 | Win | 39–11–17 (1) | Battling Ortega
|
PTS | 4 | Sep 10, 1917 | Arena, Emeryville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 67 | Win | 38–11–17 (1) | Frank Barrieau
|
PTS | 4 | Sep 3, 1917 | Arena, Emeryville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 66 | Draw | 37–11–17 (1) | Frank Barrieau
|
PTS | 4 | Aug 22, 1917 | Arena, Emeryville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 65 | Win | 37–11–16 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 4 | Aug 3, 1917 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 64 | Win | 36–11–16 (1) |  Sid Mitchell
|
KO | 4 (4) | Dec 3, 1916 | Dreamland Pavilion, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
|
|
| 63 | Win | 35–11–16 (1) | Sid Mitchell
|
PTS | 4 | Nov 22, 1916 | Dreamland Pavilion, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
|
|
| 62 | Draw | 34–11–16 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 10 | Nov 12, 1916 |  Stone Arena, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
|
|
| 61 | Win | 34–11–15 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 10 | Oct 12, 1916 | Goldfield, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 60 | Win | 33–11–15 (1) | Willie Hoppe
|
PTS | 4 | Aug 11, 1916 | Coffroth's Arena, Daly City, California, U.S.
|
|
| 59 | Draw | 32–11–15 (1) | Willie Hoppe
|
PTS | 4 | Jun 30, 1916 | Coffroth's Arena, Daly City, California, U.S.
|
|
| 58 | Win | 32–11–14 (1) | Ralph Gruman
|
NWS | 6 | Jun 6, 1916 | Ice Hippodrome, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
|
|
| 57 | Loss | 31–11–14 (1) |  Ted Kid Lewis
|
NWS | 10 | Dec 28, 1915 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
World welterweight title |
| 56 | Win | 31–10–14 (1) | Eddie McAndrews
|
NWS | 6 | Dec 20, 1915 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 55 | Win | 30–10–14 (1) | Eddie McAndrews
|
NWS | 6 | Nov 22, 1915 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 54 | Loss | 29–10–14 (1) |  Johnny Dundee
|
NWS | 10 | Oct 26, 1915 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 53 | Draw | 29–9–14 (1) | Matty Baldwin
|
PTS | 12 | May 18, 1915 | Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
|
| 52 | Win | 29–9–13 (1) | Johnny Griffiths
|
NWS | 6 | Apr 9, 1915 | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 51 | Win | 28–9–13 (1) | Freddie Welsh
|
NWS | 10 | Mar 11, 1915 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 50 | Draw | 27–9–13 (1) | Johnny Dundee
|
PTS | 4 | Oct 23, 1914 | Coffroth's Arena, Daly City, California, U.S.
|
|
| 49 | Loss | 27–9–12 (1) | Freddie Welsh
|
PTS | 20 | Jul 7, 1914 | Olympia, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
|
Lost world lightweight title (USA version); First world recognized undisputed lightweight championship |
| 48 | Loss | 27–8–12 (1) | Charley White
|
NWS | 10 | May 26, 1914 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
|
World lightweight title (USA version) |
| 47 | Win | 27–7–12 (1) | Harlem Tommy Murphy
|
PTS | 20 | Apr 17, 1914 | Coffroth's Arena, Daly City, California, U.S.
|
Retained world lightweight title (USA version) |
| 46 | Win | 26–7–12 (1) | Ad Wolgast
|
NWS | 10 | Mar 12, 1914 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
|
World lightweight title (USA version) |
| 45 | Win | 25–7–12 (1) | Leach Cross
|
NWS | 10 | Nov 10, 1913 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 44 | Win | 24–7–12 (1) | Mexican Joe Rivers
|
KO | 11 (20) | Jul 4, 1913 | Eighth Street Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
Retained world lightweight title (USA version) |
| 43 | Win | 23–7–12 (1) | Ad Wolgast
|
DQ | 16 (20) | Nov 28, 1912 | Coffroth's Mission Street Arena, Daly City, California, U.S.
|
Won world lightweight title (USA version) |
| 42 | Draw | 22–7–12 (1) | Joe Mandot
|
NWS | 10 | Jun 24, 1912 | New Orleans A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
|
|
| 41 | Win | 22–7–11 (1) | Ad Wolgast
|
NWS | 4 | May 11, 1912 | Coffroth's Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 40 | Draw | 21–7–11 (1) | Phil Brock
|
PTS | 10 | Feb 22, 1912 | Luna Park Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 39 | Loss | 21–7–10 (1) | Charley Turner
|
NWS | 6 | Feb 10, 1912 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 38 | Win | 21–6–10 (1) | Young Erne
|
NWS | 6 | Feb 7, 1912 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 37 | Win | 20–6–10 (1) | Harry Trendall
|
NWS | 6 | Jan 27, 1912 | Old City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 36 | Win | 19–6–10 (1) | Yankee Schwartz
|
KO | 2 (10) | Jan 22, 1912 | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 35 | Win | 18–6–10 (1) | Milburn Saylor
|
NWS | 6 | Jan 13, 1912 | Old City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 34 | Draw | 17–6–10 (1) | Paul Köhler
|
PTS | 12 | Jan 1, 1912 | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 33 | Loss | 17–6–9 (1) | Freddie Welsh
|
PTS | 20 | Nov 30, 1911 | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S.
|
|
| 32 | Win | 17–5–9 (1) | Jerry Murphy
|
PTS | 4 | Nov 17, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 31 | Win | 16–5–9 (1) | Jack Britton
|
PTS | 4 | Oct 6, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 30 | Draw | 15–5–9 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 10 | Sep 20, 1911 | Wheelmen's Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 29 | Win | 15–5–8 (1) | Tommy McFarland
|
KO | 4 (20) | Sep 16, 1911 | Coalinga, California, U.S.
|
|
| 28 | Loss | 14–5–8 (1) | Matty Baldwin
|
PTS | 20 | Aug 31, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 27 | Draw | 14–4–8 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 4 | Aug 11, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 26 | Win | 14–4–7 (1) | Charley Reilly
|
PTS | 4 | May 5, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 25 | Draw | 13–4–7 (1) | Johnny McCarthy
|
PTS | 4 | Mar 10, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 24 | Draw | 13–4–6 (1) | Charley Reilly
|
PTS | 4 | Feb 17, 1911 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 23 | Win | 13–4–5 (1) |  Guy Lee
|
PTS | 4 | Dec 9, 1910 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 22 | Win | 12–4–5 (1) | Abe Label
|
PTS | 4 | Dec 2, 1910 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 21 | Win | 11–4–5 (1) | Abe Label
|
PTS | 4 | Nov 18, 1910 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 20 | Draw | 10–4–5 (1) | Jimmy Fitton
|
PTS | 4 | Jun 17, 1910 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 19 | Win | 10–4–4 (1) | Anton LaGrave
|
PTS | 6 | Dec 21, 1909 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 18 | Win | 9–4–4 (1) | Kid French
|
KO | 8 (?) | Nov 25, 1909 | Marysville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 17 | Loss | 8–4–4 (1) | Oakland Frankie Burns
|
PTS | 6 | Sep 14, 1909 | Piedmont Pavilion, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 16 | Win | 8–3–4 (1) | Jim Ford
|
PTS | 4 | Jul 21, 1909 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 15 | Loss | 7–3–4 (1) | Charley Reilly
|
PTS | 6 | May 21, 1909 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 14 | Win | 7–2–4 (1) | Tony Joseph
|
KO | 3 (?) | Apr 22, 1909 | Marysville, California, U.S.
|
|
| 13 | NC | 6–2–4 (1) | Eddie Menney
|
NC | 6 (6) | Dec 29, 1908 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 12 | Win | 6–2–4 |  Willie O'Neill
|
PTS | 6 | Nov 24, 1908 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 11 | Draw | 5–2–4 | Tommy McCarthy
|
PTS | 4 | Sep 25, 1908 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 10 | Draw | 5–2–3 | Tommy McCarthy
|
PTS | 6 | Aug 28, 1908 | Reliance A.C., Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 9 | Win | 5–2–2 | Jimmy Reagan
|
PTS | 6 | Jul 16, 1908 | Reliance A.C., Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 8 | Win | 4–2–2 | Alex McDonald
|
PTS | 6 | Feb 27, 1908 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 7 | Win | 3–2–2 | Harry Dell
|
PTS | 4 | Feb 5, 1908 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 6 | Draw | 2–2–2 | Oakland Eddie Murphy
|
PTS | 4 | Dec 19, 1907 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
|
| 5 | Loss | 2–2–1 | Jack Davis
|
PTS | 4 | Jul 5, 1907 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 4 | Draw | 2–1–1 | Kid Austin
|
PTS | 4 | Mar 31, 1907 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Deacon Jones
|
KO | 3 (?) | Apr 1, 1907 | Stockton, California, U.S.
|
Precise date of bout unknown at this time |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Monk Enoch
|
TKO | 2 (4) | Mar 8, 1907 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Eddie Steele
|
KO | 1 (?) | Jul 19, 1906 | West Oakland Club, Oakland, California, U.S.
|
See also[]
References[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Willie Ritchie. |
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Willie Ritchie". The Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "boxer: Willie Ritchie". BoxRec. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "IBHOF / Willie Ritchie". International Boxing Hall of Fame. 2004-01-10. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ "Wolgast, Tottering, Fouls Ritchie; Referee Disqualifies Champion in Sixteenth Round of California Fight" (PDF). The New York Times. November 29, 1912. p. 13. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Associated Press (July 8, 1914). "Ritchie Expected a Draw. American Says He Did All the Fighting and Welsh Held On" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 10. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Associated Press (1975-03-27). "Willie Ritchie Dies at 84; Ex-Lightweight Champion" (PDF, fee required). The New York Times. p. 28. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/11916
| show Authority control  |
|---|
 | This biographical article related to an American boxer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
Categories:
- 1891 births
- 1975 deaths
- World lightweight boxing champions
- Boxers from California
- American male boxers
- American boxing biography stubs