WOLGAST, AD EXHIBIT CARD (1921)

Adolphus Wolgast (8 February 1888 � 14 April 1955), nicknamed Michigan Wildcat, was a world lightweight boxing champion. He was born on 8 February 1888, his siblings were fellow boxers Johnny Wolgast and Al Wolgast. He turned professional in boxing in 1910 and in 1911 captured the World Lightweight Title with a TKO win over Battling Nelson. After the California bout, both fighters were arrested and charged with violating the anti-prizefight law. Wolgast would later defend the title against Mexican Joe Rivers in 1912, a bout that caused controversy. Delivering simultaneous blows, they knocked each other out. Referee Jack Welch counted to ten and the bout was over. However, he awarded the win to Wolgast, claiming that Ad had started to rise before the fatal ten. Rivers' fans let out a roar, believing he had been fouled. To add to the confusion, the timekeeper insisted the round had ended when Welch reached the count of four. But Welch's ruling became the official verdict. Wolgast ultimately defended the belt five times before losing it to Willie Ritchie in 1912. Wolgast was declared incompetent in 1917 and a guardianship was established for him. He suffered a nervous breakdown in 1918 and was placed in a sanitarium. He escaped and was later found living in the "North Woods" of California as a "mountain man." In December 1918 a Los Angeles court found him competent to handle his own affairs, and terminated the guardianship. In the early 1920s, Jack Doyle, owner of a Vernon, California boxing venue, took Wolgast "under his wing," and allowed him to train at his boxing gym, promising Wolgast a bout "tomorrow." Tomorrow never came, yet Wolgast continued to train diligently every day for that bout tomorrow. Offered here is an original, 1921 exhibit card of Ad Wolgast in full, fight pose as he looked at the height of his career.
This is an original 1921 Exhibit Supply Company exhibit card. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. Minor corner wear. Minor foxing on back from age. 3 3/8" x 5 3/8."