Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-29
SPORT NEWS IN GENERAL,
AMERICAN LAD
AGAIN HOLDS
CHAMPIONSHIP
Benny Leonard is Victor ov-
er Freddy Welsh in
Clean Fight.

0S 0SOA4Ao 40 vASSOA Wv
er Freddy Welsh in
Clean Fight.
New York. May 2s.-Once moro the
lightweight championship Of the
world 10 held by an American. Brit
aims great master Freddie Welsh OF
Pontypridd, Wales, lost the title last
night after nearly three years of pos
vas In the ninth rund before Benny
Leonard, the youthful New Yorker.
The first challenge to Leonard
came from Johnnie Kilbane, feather
weight champion, but Leonard has an
nounced his intention to enlist in the
army and may decline an immediate
engagement.
Leonard inherits honors held by
some of the most wonderful exponents
the Lightweight mantle having been
held by Jack McAulin, Ed Lavigne,
Frank Erne. Joe Cans, Battling Nell
son, Ad Wolgast md Willie Richie
IN the last quarter century.
Welsh champion Three Years.
Three years ago next July Welsh
took the title from Richie by winning
2 decision in 20 rounds in London.
The Welshman stood off all corners
until last night, when, beaten FROM
start to finish, he was officially declar-
ed out in the ninth round when Ref
r Mcfarland interviewed in the in
terests OF humanity to say him from
further punishment.
The battle had q dramatic climax.
The champion had weakened under
the aggressive grilling Of Leonard
and early in the night crashed to the
moor from the force of the blow he
tried to duck. which caught him on
the top Of the head. Bedlam broke
loose in the hall as Welsh pulled him.
self up by a rope again. A right to
the head . n him reeling to the can
vas and again he climbed to his feet.
"A third time Leonard f1oored, him and
Mcfarland implored Harry Pollock
Welsh's manager to toss in the sponge.
But Welsh still was game and Pol
loo hated to give UP h honor while
there seemed v the limit Of
chances. So the referee took the mat
ter into his own hands, pushed Leon
ard back a the Welshman tried to
struggle to a fighting posture and de-
clared that Leonard "a the new
champion.
Couldn't stand the Rushes.
Welsh's downfall came at the end
SSAASo VI 1OSlleo ny L0OudrO ina
drove him from corner to corner The
champion had taken a severe beating
during the early rounds. and the pun
ishment had begun to tell when the
gong for the ninth round sounded.
Leonard, fresh as the moment he
had entered the ring. jumped forward
and met the champion as he was
shower of lefts and rights to the face
and head.
Welsh. tvainly trying to- ward off
the blows. worked his way into Leon
ards corner where Leonard succeed
ed In reaching him with a smashing
right on the Jaw. Welsh fell on one
knee and Rugged the ropes.
His strength gone. he strove weakly
to strike q fighting. pose: As he left
hit the floor. He struggled to his
feet twice more but each time he
was met by Leonard's rights to the
face and head and again he fell.
The champion took the count of
nine before he arose from the last
knockdown. He tried to stand, but
fell across the ropes.
leaped between the men. and, push
ing Leonard away, Carried the defeat
ed champion to his corner.
A score of men occupying rlngside
seats, Jumped into the ring and, lift
ing the new champion to their Shout
ders. carried him in triumphal pro-
cession around the hall.
While the crowd was cheering itself
hoarse, Welsh sat in a da1e in his cor
ner. When he had recovered some
| what and was told of his defeat, he
refused to believe them. n fought
Rercely to return to the center of the
ring.
It was Leonard's fight throughout.
He took the offensive in the first
round and held It until the end. There
was never a moment when he was In
danger, and although the champion
fought valiantly and landed many
blows. they appeared to have little ef-
feet. Welsh seemed to have lost his
judgment of distance for he missed
From the first gong Leonard tore
into the champion with ruthless per-
%sistency. He rained lefts and rights
to the face and head at will.
Leonard weighed in at 1913 pounds:
Welsh 1t 1876 3-4. They had meet
twice before in no-decision 10-round
bouts.
Leonard was born in New York city
in 1896. His recent knockout of
Richie Mitchell Of Milwaukee caus-
ed him to be regarded as a contender
for the worlds title.
Leonard will not wait for conscrip-
tion," but will enlist in the United
States army after a six-round bout in
Philadelphia next Monday night, his
manager, Billy Gibson, announced
after the fight.