Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-28
LEONARD 6-TO-5
FAVORITE OVER
WELSH TONIGHT
Bets of l to 5 That Con-
tender Scores K. O. Are
Being Placed
CHAMPIONSHIP AT STAKE

NEW YORK. July 2s.-Benny Leonard
was 6-to-5 favorite in the betting over
Freddy Welsh, whom he meets tonight in
a 10-round bout in the open-air park in
Brooklyn. Some enthusiastic Leonard
hackers were offering l to that Leonard
will win by a knockout
Perfect weather prevails today insurlng
the bout tonight 1t is said that the
crowd will go beyond $4,000. General adj
mission is 81. The seat prices ranged from
SO up to $40 for the rngside boxes.
The possibility that the lightweight cham
ponshp may change hands has aroused
remarkable interest in the bout. This
will be the second meeting between Welsh
and Leonard, and although the first bout
took place more than year ago, Welsh re-
members clearly the lacing he received on
that occasion fro mthe clever and hard
hitting New Yorker.
Title May Shift
There is Just a possibility that the light
weight crown may be shifted to the head Of
Leonard after tonight's encounter-but lit
tie probability. Welsh knows well tho grave
danger of engaging Leonard n second time
and he has prepared for tonight's bout as
he seldom has prepared himself before
Training camps reports always indicate the
glowing condition of a boxer, sometimes
with more conventionalty than truth, but
this time Welsh has prepared to stand off
Chip who lost his title here to Al Mccoy.
And just as earnestly has Leonard condi-
toned himself for perhaps the best oppor-
tunity he viii ever have of winning the
lightweight championship For the young
ster. as we'll as for the veteran, everything
is at stake. II Leonard fails tonight he
may never have another opportunity to
battle Welsh. If he startles the pugilistic
world by knocking out Welsh-and that is
the only way he can win the title, except
nr.k,
want TO don boxing glove again.
1t is that championship flavor that makes
the bout tonight interesting. Welsh is not
the type of boxer the fight-loving public
flock to see. but there will be big crowd
present. many hoping that Leonard will
produce the sleep-inducing punch.
Nearly very boxing follower Is familiar
with the style of the rivals, Welsh might
we'll be classed the champion without a
punch, for he is undoubtedly the weakest
puncher who ever dominated the lightweight
field But he is wonderfully clever, 50
clever that even Jem Driscoll who was
regarded at one time as the shiftiest man in
the ring, could not cope with his skill.
Welsh is a veteran of many years expert
ence. His punch has been relieved OF
much of the little power it once carried.
that Leonard will not have to be over
wary OF the champions blows, The New
Yorker took many liberties with Welsh's
punches in their Garden meeting and suf-
fered little.
Leonard Is Clever
Leonard is an exceptionally clever boy,
and In addition can hit with tremendous
force II is not long ago that he was ac-
cused OF carrying horseshoes In his gloves.
so hard did he hit one Shamus o'Brien. OF
YonkeFs.
The only handicap under which the local
favsrite will labor is weight. The bout
was arranged at catchweghts. which
means that Welsh may have from two 70
three pounds advantage over his younger
antagonist. Leonard is expected 10 enter
the ring weighing a little Tore than 1873
pounds, and Welsh will probably tip the
beam at about 1S6 pounds
Leonard did not give up training uTtil
yesterday when he , Illed stake at &t
Kisco and prepared 10 come to New York
this afternoon. The youngster is just as
hard as outdoor exercise can make any
athlete. The title holder, who conditioned
himself at Douglaston, L. l., never looked
better before fight than he did yesterday
afternoon There was a twinkle In his eye
as he went through his final gymnasium
work, and he appeared llyelier than he
has been for many months.