The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-07-26


with his Jab managed to put through
that stiff right. 1t landed full on
Johnny's mouth and brought the old
claret freely flowing. This punch
was the big factor in the battle, as
Kilbane came out of his corner in
the second a trifie shaky and almost
refused to mix il, but Leonard was
not in for any Of the loafing stun
and mauled right in, forcing Kilbane
to exhibit some brilliant blocking and
sidestepping.
Leonard kept up his rushing tactics
and soon had the little Clevelander
backing up. A sharp left to the
bread basket and a short right up
percut rocked Kilbane and forced
him to hang on. Pop O'Brine called
Johnny for holding on. Leonard
went at his opponent like he meant
real business and a short right hook
sent the smiling Westerner spinning
back against the ropes. For fully two
charge but the little fellow had had
enough and he hung on again. Benny
seemed not to be in any hurry as 1t
looked like a sure bet at this stage
OF the fight that the Cleyelander
would not last out the route. A short
left hook knocked Johnny to his
knees just before the bell in the sec
ond. but he got up and managed to
show enough to stall through until
the bell. Game to the core, Kilbane
met Leonard in the center Of the ring
at the start OF the third and mixed
blows with him. but the slaughter of
body punches that the New Yorker
handed out forced Johnny to back up
Benny was on his opponent in a sec
ond and shot over a right hook that
sent the pride of Ohio back against
the post in his corner.
Benny charged Kilbane, who man.
aged to hang on like leech. The crowd
was on its feet at this period and
were calling for a Knockout. Kilbane
was using all the generalship that he
has heretofore been noted for but it
all went for naught as Benny proved
to be the best at the racing game and
soon caught up to Johnny.
Kilbane attempted to hang on but
Leonard shot in two stiff rights that
sent the feather-weight to his knees
for the second time Of the battle.
Johnny refused to take a count and
was back in a clinch in a second.
A wicked right just behind the left
ear sent Johnny spinning three feet
away.
The Clevelander made an efford to
clinch but he was too groggy to see
his opponent. as he threw both hands
above his head and laid straight out
on the canvas. Kilbane no more then
hit the floor than Jimmy Dunn. his
manager. threw the towel in the ring
declaring defeat. AS the towel was
ma Efnu Nai the hall
sounded ending the battle.
1t was a good little man that took
the count from another good little
man with punching powers that would
be worthy of any middle-weight.
Leonard does not gain the feather
weight title by this bout but If the
milling had have gone the other way
Kilbane would have gained both titles.
Leonard's weight was a few ounces
under the lightweight limit while Kill
bane tipped the beam at 100 pounds.
New York sent two special trains
filled with fistic fans. Sheriff and for
mer Sheriff Smith, of Cleveland, head
ed a large delegation from that city.
Matt Hinkle, noted Cleveland promo
ter, was there. Philadelphia fans
boasted of the prices that prevailed for
seats. Over in New York. a match like
this would cost SIS to $50 to see, while
the limit here was 8, tapered down to
800
KiIbane has been here for a number
of days having finished his training
in the opera house at Leiperville.
Leonard arrived at o'clock this aft
ernoon. Five thousand admirers greet
ed him at the railroad station. Leon
ards mother and sister accompanied
him. Neither attended the battle, but
remained at the hotel, hearing the re-
suit.
The crush at the gates reminded of
the many famous world series days.
For blocks and blocks the streets to
the entrance were black with people.
The police handled the crowd splend-
idly.
At o'clock 1t was impossible to buy
s. seat. Spectators reaped a har-
vest, getting SIS TO so for a pair OIL
seats. The 81 seats were in left field
bleachers. They were filled immedi-
ately after the finish Of the Athletics
Tigers ball game.
Before the first preliminary. two
English soldiers who served at the
front were introduced and appealed
for enlistments in both the British
and United States armies. The Red
Cross was ably represented by 100
pretty girls. The fans contributed
| literally.
Joe WEIGH, the Philadelphia welter-
weight, who was the first boy Leon
| ard fought after he won the light
weight title, met Young Brown, of
New York, in one of the prelim-
inaries. In another, Mickey Dunn, of
New York, met Bobby Mccain, Of
Philadelphia.
During the Welch-Brown fight 500
Of the lads in the left field bleachers
| broke down the barriers and hustled
| over to the left field stand.
Kilbane was first to enter the ring.
1t was 9:25 when he climbed through
the ropes. lie was given a great
ovation. Leonard followed a minute
later. Philadelphia gave him an ova-
ton even greater than Kilbane re-
ceived.
First round-Leonard was the first to
lead and landed left jab to the face
| kilbane rushed Leonard to the ropes
and they exchanged lefts. Leonard
hooked a left to the head but Kilbane
ducked vicious right swing. Leonard
was short with both a left and right.
Leonard jabbed with left and blocked
left hook. Leonard hooked a right
to the heart. Leonard struck a IerT
TO the body and tEey went to a clinch;
lot OF wrestling followed. Leonard
hooked right to the head. At tn.
oeH Leonard ducked a wicked right
SWING. 1t was all Leonard's round.
second round-Leonard was short a
lett TO the body at the start of the
second round. As Leonard missed a
left kiloane stepped In close and up
per-cutted with a right. Benny more
tnan eVened the score with a hard
right-to the jaw. Leonard jabbed three
times without a return. He followed
tnls up with left hook to the Jaw
-.