Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-15
K|LBANE- E-LE0NARD
SCRAP TOO SHORT
Neither Liable to Show Very
Much in Six Round Limit
Effective at Philadelphia.
CBy J. A. ERMATINGER.)

MILWAUKEE,. Wis. July 14.-As
the date draws near for the widely
heralded encounter between the two
worlds fistic champions - Benny
Leonard and Johnny Kilbane-the
pair publicity vendors engaged for this
especial task are bending to the job
with right good will and the columns
of the puoiio 2riGts are filled with
gushing praise and thrilling descrip-
ton OF the anticipated CORY struggle.
The unbridied press agents are pre-
dieting the greatest ring encounter
ever witnessed when the champion of
all lightweights engages the feather
weight king. but he hard headed fans,
whose good money will make up the
$4,000 guarantee to the battlers are
not thrilling with enthusiasm as yet
over the coming encounter.
Too Short, for Nothing.
The chief reason why boxing follow
ers are slow In warming up to the
match lies mainly in the fact that the
bout Is To be a limited one--only six
rounds-without a decision attached.
If the contest were to be over a longer
route, say of ten or even twenty
rounds, the setto undeniably would be
memorable affair and worth paying
the money to see. but as 1t Is to be
only six rounds it is extremely doubt<
ful IL a real fight will result.
When two such master artists as
Leonard and Kilbane square away for
action 1t hardly seems likely that
either will sustain any serious damage
within six rounds. That is the view
every close student of boxing takes Of
the coming encounter, and for that
reason the preliminary details are not
being watched as closely as they would
II the rivals were scheduled to travel
longer distance.
As a spectacle. however, the match
holds promise OF being an attractive
one and 1t is certainty that ring
patrons. especially those living In the
east. will gather by the thousands
when the title holders face each other.
AS the bout is scheduled to be held
in Shibe park at Philadelphia there
will be room for fully fifty thousand
fans. providing that many wish to wit
ness the affair. Popular prices will
prevail. In the main, and that will
tend to swell the attendance.
To Settle Weight Argument.
In accepting the match at the stipu-
lated weight of l33 pounds two hours
before ring time. Leonard put at rest
for all time the dispute over his
ability'to make the lightweight pound
age. 1t will be recalled the claim was
made that Leonard scaled 1877 pounds
the afternoon he weighed in for the
match with Freddie Welsh, in which
Leonard won the worlds champion
ship, and ever since that time there
has been more or less controversy on
this point. Envious critics of Leon
ard will have to be silent on that
score hereafter. because the champion
is going to prove he Is a legitimate
lightweight. He has posted forfeit
of $1,000 to make 1873 pounds.
While few followers of the ring
game anticipate n knockout in the
coming fracas, the possibility Of one
always exists. 1t is a certainty that
ILeonard will make a fight of It, be-
cause he is naturally aggressive. very
proud Of his recent accomplishments,
and Is determined not to be shown
up by the featherweight champion in
the way Welsh was wheh he fought
Kilbane the last time. With these
influences to spur him on It is likely
that Leonard will force the fighting
thruout.
Not Much Difference in POundagc.
With the average ring fan the i'm
preston exists that Leonard will have
big advantage in weight over Kill
bane. but this Is not the case. tltho
Kilbane holds the featherweight title,
ne no longer Is considered a legiti-
mate feather, as It is impossible for
him to make 1872 pounds and retain
his fighting strength. Kilbane's pres
ent poundage is around 1928. and that
is the figure he probably will scale
when he enters the ring. Leonard
probably will weigh about 1897
pounds at gong time, as he is likely
to gain a bit between weighing in and
the time set for battle. There will
not be n great difference In weight.
II will be seen.
The coming match will be the Sec
ond between the pair. They met In a
ten-round setto at New York city
some two years ago and Kilbane was
credited with the popular victory on
points. Leonard Is vastly improved
boy since that date. however. whereas
Kilbane has not developed to any
great extent; In fact, he Is not thot
to be as good fighting man as he
was then