Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-27

while the champion thoroughly beat
ment
Followers of fistlc affairs will
wait the ou . me of the struggle
With intense Interest for the reason
hat there is tho possibility OF new
worlds champion emerging out OF the
racas II Welsh is ever to he shorn
( his title, il will be a hoy OF the
ighting skill Of Leonard who VIII ac-
'omplish It,
while few patrons of the ring con-
EIDE the probability OF Welsh losing
his title in tcn-round contest still II
not an impossibility. Apart FROM
his feature of the coming contest
there is another angle to the affair
that is very important to Leonard.
Two Distance Offers.
Two definite offers for long g-dis-
.ance championship match have been
submitted within the past few days
md Welsh has declared that he VIII
1ccept one Of them. The titleholder
: becoming peevish at the lash OF
,riticism that is constantly being laid
across his shoulders lie says now
hat he is ready to defend his crown
lgainst the best opponent in sisht,
md he intimates tn he Will not seri-
,usly haggle over the financial terms
'or his share.
In the first battle between Welsh
md Leonard the latter made such a
iplendid showing that he Immediately
vas acclaimed the greatest fistic SEN
sation that had flashed across the
lightweight horizon since the day
Young Corbett electrified the sport
ing world by his sensational victories.
Sporting writer's of Gotham were a
unit in singing the praises of the
-turdy little Jewish boy. They called
attention to the fact that Leonard
1ot only had matched skill with the
'itleholder but had outpunched him
n addition. and his margin of VIC
tory was so clear, the scrlhes said,
hat IL the battle had gone Few
rounds more 1t was their unanimous
verdict that Welsh could not nave
stood up under the hammering.
Welsh Gets Even.
Fnvlous of the praise received by
he Gotham boy following this match
Welsh promptly began negotiations
ooking TO return encounter. Some
'welve weeks later the rivals mel
1gan. For this engagement Welsh
ipent days in careful preparation. II
is of record that the titleholdel
irained more seriously for the match
than for any scrap since he won the
championship.
This time the champion stepped
thru the ropes perfectly traihe'
warrior When in condition Welsh Is
undeniably marvellous ring fighter
Whatever else they may say of Welsh
N criticism of his meth DDS, no one
AN deny that when Welsh really fit
himself for fight he Is wonderful
performer. He is so superlativelN
clever that the average opponent /
practically helpless before him. II
frequent Instances the men who have
fought Welsh have been so powerles'
to cone with him that they have stooC
with hands at their sides uncertain
where to punch or what to do TO re
'aliate for the lightning jabs Welst
showered upon them.
That was the case when Leonar'
tougnt Welsh the second time. Fron
he opening gong the titleholde
,prang upon his challenger He die
not wait, as he usually does, for nj
opponent to force the fighting, bu
instead Welsh tok the aggressive an'
Kept It up. He was like wasp dart
ng at the more slowly moving Leon
1rd. In round after round the cham
pion literally beat tattoo on the rae
and body Of the Jewish boy, an
while the punches did not sting, or a
any time hurt Leonard they fell s.
sften that Freddie piled up such
margin Of points II left no doubt a
to his superiority.
Outcome Hard to Forecast =
What will be the outcome of IN
approaching engagement between tn
pair? This is a question that is har'
Cor any follower of ringcraft 10 an an
gwer. II Is n certainty that Welsh
not as good as he was year age
while Leonard is improving steadvsN
IN all his contests of the past winte
Welsh has been outfought by boy
who do not nearly approach the elias
Of Leonard. II is doubtful If Wels
can get into first class fighting forf
again. He has no real spirit Tor Dat
Ting further. His chief aim no'
seems to be to get whatever none
he can out of the game and az IN
same time protect himself from beln
knocked out. IN all probability Wels
would have retired on July I next, q
he frequently declared was his IT
,ention, but the fact that he mas pui
chased an expensive country esta'
near New York city caused him
change his mind for the time being
east. He wants to earn the none
% pay for that place. II Is matte
Of some 100000 When he has adde
that amount to his present holdint
II will he time for him TO don n
gloves for keeps He VIII be rate
then at about s250.OOO.
OF course. II the unexpected shoul
happen and Leonard should drop tf
- l.. hAn