The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-29
new RING RULER
Benny Leonard UncrOwns
Welsh in New York Bout.
American Champion Will Join
COlOrs at Once.

New York, May 29.-When Benny
Leonard won the lightweight cham
pionship of the world from Fred
Welsh OF England here Monday night
he scored his fifth consecutive knock
out in as many weeks.
Referee McPhartland stopped the
bout when welsh was hanging help
lessly on the ropes in Leonard's cor
ner. 1t was technical knockout ana
will be credited as such. The ne"
worlds champion is the first New
ara was born in this city on April 7,
1896.
Welsh won the title from Willie
Ritchie of California, on a referees
decision at London, England, in July,
1914.
From the first tap of the gong
Leonard was the aggressor and while
Welsh c1everly blocked many OF
Leonards punches, the younger man
scored heavily with swinging lefts
and bard right hand smashes to the
stomach and ribs.
To Join COlors.
Leonard announced he would enlist
in the army next week after a bout
at Philadelphia. AS the new light
weight champion, he will defend his
title sometime after Uncle Sam has
finished licking Germany This is
the program he laid down today. He
will meet Joe WEIGH in Philadelphia
Monday night, but plans to enlist in
the army at once and enter active
service next week.
Leonard's ascension to the throne
held so long by Welsh came after
fought battle. Eager tho he was to
send over the blow that would end
the dancing master type of champion,
he went thru the eight rounds and e
half of fighting, cool and calm, plac-
ing his blows where they would do
the most Damage and only waiting for
the inevitable time the turtle shell of
the Britisher would drop long enough
for the finish Praise for Leonard,
however, must be only slightly strong
er than for Welsh. The old man of
the ring, undoubtedly realizing tho
end was in sight, did everything he
knew to prevent the finish of his
career as leader of the lightweight
division.
Would Not Be Denied.
There was no denying, however, the
cool, calm youth who stabbed and
crossed, always holding his right hand
in readiness.
The ninth round had been furiously
fast when Leonard started the whirl-
wind that brought the old champion
down. Crossing for the head, Welsh
started into clinch. Using his right
bout. Leonard crossed behind the
champions guard. Welsh ducked, but
he was too late. The smashing power
of the mauling fist caught him on
the temple. Welsh's knees sagged, a
sorry smile struggled over his features
and he tried vainly to stagger into a
clinch. Leonard slipped away and his
left crushed square onto Welsh's
chin. Weaving family and trying to
hold up. Welsh sagged until his
knees touched the floor. Referee
Mcfarland started to count and
Welsh arose. Again he went down,
one hand clinging to the ropes in
Leonard's corner. He arose, both
hands or the ropes. his head unpro-
tected. A dozen times the failing fists
of the eager challenger crashed into
Welsh's chin.
Welsh Was Game.
Gamely the Britisher stood it. Nc
partland looked appealingly to
Welsh's corner but the sponge was
not forthcoming. Mcfarland merci-
fully stepped in and ended it. Welsh,
given a hand by the referee tried to
reach his corner, but he sprawled and
fell thru the ropes.
A wave of black, flecked with the
yellow of straw hats, leaped into the
smoke filled air as the crowd ac-
claimed another American lightweieht
champion of the world Brushins
aside special policemen, the crowd
surged into the ring, hugging and
cheering Leonard. Welsh sitting
dazed in his corner, did not reaize
what had happened for several min
utes