Background
He was born in San Francisco, California as Gerhardt Anthony Steffen on February 13, 1891.
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 dominated the fight, and after Wolgast landed two blows below the belt in the sixteenth round, the referee called the fight for Ritchie. 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.
He held the title for two years, successfully defending it four times.
