New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-10-27
SHUGRUE'S INJURY
HELPED leonard
Brass City Boxer Near Top When
Poor Eyes Halted Him

| Worlds Champion Benny Leonard
had no easy going in reaching the top
Of his profession. Benny had to over
come many obstacles and fight like a
tiger before even convincing the fistic
public that he was entitled to make a
! bid for chance at the lightweight
championship. Little did one think
when in New York, back five years
ago, and watched Joe Shugrue of Jer-
sey, nothing more than a novice, fiat
ten Benny Leonard in four rounds.
that Mr.. Leonard would some day be
worlds champion and held up before
the public as the greatest champion
since the days Of Joe Cans. Benny
doesn't put that knockout by Shugrue
in his record, but he got it just the
same, and here are plenty of fans who
we'll remember the night.
AL McMurray had Leonard in those
days. and he was loked upon as
tough and rugged battler In the sec
| ond division, who would give the fans
/ a run for their money and that's about
all. McMurray got Leonard several
bouts, and finally Leonard drifted
around to the Fa;rmont Tub looking
for work.
Tom McCardle, matchmaker for the
club, took hold of Leonard and started
him boxing in the club. Leonard had
to box 50 matches at the Fairmont be-
fore he interested anyone to any ex-
tent or struck anyone as having cham
pionship chances. Although Leonard
went 10-round no-decision bouts with
such boys at Patsy Cline Johnny Dun
dee. Jimmy Duffy, Johnny KNbane.
Frankie Callahan and AL Thomas, he
really came into prominence when he
knocked out Joe Mandot in seven
rounds on Dec. II, 1915, in New York.
Tom McCardle told Billy Gibson.
manager of the Fairmont club, about
Leonard, and said he believed the
young fellow had the making of
great battler. Gibson took hold of
Leonard and got him plenty of work.
Leonard knocked out Phil Blom and
Jimmy Murray, and finally stopped
Ever Hammer in - rounds in Kan
sas City This was great boost to
Leonard, and he got a bout with
Freddie Welsh. champion of the
world, the boy whom he had boxed
two 1O-round no-decision bouts. Leon
ard stopped Welsh and became the
lightweight champion of the world.
after working hard for five years and
having to battle and beat the best in
the class in his drive to the cham
pionship.
But going back to the Shugrue
fight, it is safe to say that injury to
Shugrue's eyes, that put him out of
business, made 1t possible for Benny
Leonard to become lightweight cham
pion of the world. Shugrue had
stopped Leonard and had twice de-
feated Champion Welsh in a 10-round
no decision bout in New York. He
had defeated Milburn Saylor In 20
round battle in Sydney and Saylor is
the fellow who stopped Leach Cross
and put him out Of the game. ALI
Shugrue needed was a decision battle
with Welsh to become lightweight
champion of the world. Welsh side
stepped Shugrue as far as campion-
ship fight went, and after Shugrue
quit the game Welsh took on Leonard
and lost the title.
There now remains as candidates for
Leonard's crown Joe yelling, Johnny
Dundee, frankie Callahan, Patsy
Cline and Charley White as the most
worthy ccntenders. Shugrue held his
own with Johnny Dundee three times
and twice held Charley White even.
The most worthy contender for
Champion Leonard is proEatly Joo
>Welling. while it must be admitted
Charley White is always dangerous as
he carries such a stiff punch. Dundee
is no knockout man. He hops about
and picks and jabs at his opponent
and is a great defensive fighter. 1t Is
hard to figure out Dundee ever maxi
ing any impression on Leonard or any
other lightweight champion.
AS for White, a boxer generally
manages to beat White, who is a
| fighter with wallop. Freddie Welsh
mad m easy time outpointing White.
and Jack Britton and several others
outpointed him. Back In 1909 White
was badly shown up by Abe Attell,