Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-10
KNOCKOUT KINGS
READY TO STEP
Champion Leonard Has
Put Ban on Welsh's
Heel-and-TOe Act
HERMAN HERE TONIGHT
BY ROBERT w. MAXWELL

Giving the public run for its
money was a popular indoor sport so
far as boxing champions were concerned
In the Dark Ages, but in these modern
times conditions have changed. When
Freddy Welsh held the lightweight title
he was willing to oblge at any time
| with heel-and-toe act and his mar
velous footwork and dancing steps made
the tango lizards blush with shame.
Freddy outstepped and outsprinted his
fistic rivals for years and future cham
pions. instead of taking UP the many
art of self-defense. began TO Join mar
| athon clubs and take part in six-day
walking matches.
But, as we have said before. times
| have changed. Benny Leonard. the
| present king of the 133-pounders is
| heartless when the wishes of the dear
old public are concerned He abso-
| lutely refuses to give the cash customers
n run for their money. He can't run.
can't dance-in fact. he can do nothing
but fight. For example take his battle
with Sailor kirke out in Denver, Bennv
| made the trip from New York and the
| western fans nocked to see him He
was heralded as the greatest boxer of
The age and they wanted to Judge for
| themselves.
| Was Easy for Benny
| But there was little judging to be done
AS soon as the spectators were comfort
ably seated and settled for an evenings
enjoyment Benny swiped the bold sailor
| on the whiskers and they carried the
Wreckage from the ring The bout
lasted only minute or so, and every one
| is wondering how 1t happened Then
came the battle with Gene belmont in
Minneapolis. Again Benny perpetrated
an overt act and Gene bit the canvas
Most OF the running is being done by the
opponents of the champion these days
For that reason the big fuss between
Leonard and Patsy Cline looms us as a
regular attraction for cold winter
night For months the Cline person has
been on the champions trail and re-
| ceived the cold shoulder after every
overture. Finally Billy Gibson consented
to match and allowed the Olympia
A. A. to stage It. There is no doubt
| about its being the biggest bout of the
| year. and 1t is almost a certainty that
| some one will take the count Leonard
always goes in to finish his man as soon
as possible and Cline is using his re-
Gently discovered knockout WALTON on
every occasion. He has flattened two
aspiring boxers in the last two weeks
and hopes to repeat on Wednesday
night. 1t is seldom that pair of maui
ers with recognized haymakers appear
| in the same arena.
Big Demand for Tickets
Leon Raines, the busy person around
the Olympia. announced last night that
the show would start promptly at s
p. m and that the wind-up would go on
at $50. This will give the New York
ers an opportunity to catch the 1890
train, provided there are enough to
catch n healthy train.
The advance sale of tickets has been
unusually large and only few of the
good seats are left. Tickets ordered by
regular patrons will not be held later
than Tuesday noon, and some good seats
probably can be procured after that
time. The war tax is included with the
tickets. The tickets are $50. $27o,
$500 and $3.50. The general admission
tickets will be sold on the night Of the
show.
Champion Herman Tonight
The big bout almost has overshadowed
the show tonight, but some thrilling
bouts are on the card In the wind-up
little Joe Tuber. one of the very best
bantams in the East. will meet Pete
Herman, the champion. Tuber is good
make a great showing He was trife
timid the night he boxed Johnny Ertle,
but says he does not feel the same way
about Herman. If ne goes in and fights.
the bantam champ is in for a strenuous
evening.
Ray Must Be Considered
Philadelphians are beginning to real
ize that Johnny Ray is a topnotch boxer.
Saturday night at the National he out
boxed. outgeneraled and outpointed
Johnny Dundee in six sensational rounds
and proved to every one that he must
be considered seriously in the light
weight ranks. Ray has been in ninety
seven battles and thus far has a clean
record. He has met all of the topnotch-
ers except Leonard and right now looks
like logical opponent for the champion.
UECT III" 4 HAC