On December 19, 1913, White defeated Ad Wolgast former world lightweight champion in a ten round newspaper decision at Dreamland Park in Milwaukee. White dominated the bout with his left hook, but Wolgast was not quite the boxer who earlier held the championship and his punches lacked steam. He had taken the world lightweight champion against Mexican Joe Rivers in July 1912, but lost it in November 1912 to Willie Ritchie. Had points determined the outcome of the fight, and if Wolgast had still held the title, White would have taken the world lightweight championship.