New Britain herald., 1917-12-13
EONARD TOO FAST
FOR PATSY Cline:
ampion Is Victorious, But Chal-
len8er Forces Him at Times

SSsF hl1auelph1a, Dec 13-Benny Leon
IDS title of worlds lightweight
championship is still safe despite a
nrious effort on the part Of Irish
Atsy Cline to grasp the crown.
1eonard defeated Cline in q six round
contest at the Olympic A. A. last
Aight, but the champion knew he had
been in a battle.
Cline gave the champion the hard
est battle he has had since winning
Hhe championship from Freddy Welsh.
I'D for a few rounds it looked as
4hough the titleholder might suffer
IN upset, but the class Of the title
holder asserted itself in the closing
grounds and the Irish lad from Harlem
- numbered among Leonard's VIC
1ims.
It was thought by many experts
that Leonard would score a knockout
And they wagered one to two on that
Eproposition. After the third round in
which Cline fought with the great
est fury, there was q scramble on
the part Of the bettors to lay off on
the sleep punch idea.
Cline Dropped i'm Fifth.
But the champion came to himself
u An the fifth round and not only gave
ECline an artistic beating but nearly
stopped him before the bell came to
the challenger's relief. In this round
S14eonard showed himself to be COM
/ p1etely master Of his opponent in all
departments of the science.
He tented Cline into knots and
had him swinging wildly. Shortly be-
fore the bell sounded Leonard caught
/ Cline with a terrific thump on the
Jaw that brought the Irish boy for
ward on hands and knees.
u Scorning the count Cline leaped to
his feet and rushed at Leonard. The
champion sidestepped and uppercut
Cline viciously on the chin, and the
latter then rushed blindly and
clutched Leonard about the neck. He
was trying to hit, but without effect,
after the bell sounded.
Il AS Cline was pushed away from
leonard by the referee he reeled
toward his corner and nearly fell into
his seat. The right handler on the
jaw, followed by the singing upper
undoubtedly saved Cline for had the
round gone a minute longer Benny
might have finished his opponent.
There were cries for Leonard to
finish his man when they touched
gloves at the beginning of the sixth
round. Benny tented his man into
q helpless condition and then looked
for place on which to land his
dreaded right. Cline rushed in and
Rugged to keep out of danger and
the champion could not get his arms
TO working. |
Cline, entirely on the defensive, !
managed to keep on his feet until the
close OF the bout. But he was beaten
and barely escaped a knockout
through the employment of clinching
tactics. |
In favor of Cline 1t must be said
that he is the only man who has car ,
ried the fight to the champion at any
stage Of the game. The Irish boy
rushed at the titleholder at the out
set as If he would annihilate him and
Tor time the champion was very
much surprised. But as soon as
leonard regained his customary poise
he showed that he is very much the
superior of Cline both as a boxer and
hitter.
1t was apparent that it was lucky
I for Cline the bout was limited to six
rounds, for he could hardly have last
I'd more than another round or two
In his shaky condition. In the mat
{ ter of weight the contestants were
evenly matched. Leonard scaled
134 IA and Cline 1874 Ia.