Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-15
LEONARD TO BOX
PIERCE TONIGHT
Champion Will Exhibit
Regardless of Lewis's Plea.
Says Manager Rains
CLASH AT OLYMPIA A. A.
By JAMES S. CAROLAN

penny Leonard, the worlds light
weight champion, will make his frs,
appearance of the indoor boxing season
at the Olympia tonight. The champion
will exhibit despite the plea made by
Ted Ikid) Lewis not to engage in any
contest until after their meeting in
Newark one week from tonight.
Leonard will be here for tonight's
battle with Harry Pierce unless he
breaks leg or some other misfortune
befalls him." said Leon Rains. manager
of the Olympia, this morning. Il was
talking TO Billy Gibson over the long
distance last night and he positively
Informed me that Benny would be on
hand. You know this is a Jewish holi-
day and do not look for Leonard to
leave New York until after five o'clock.
You can say for me- however, that
Benny will be here TO fulfill his contract
with the olympia Club. The advance
sale has been the heaviest of the sea-
/ son. Leonard always draws here and
, I loOk for the best crowd of the sea
SON.
Last Saturday Lewis sent Leonard a
letter requesting him to call off his fight
with Pierce booked here tonight. Lewis
/ said lie Cancelled his engagement with
, Tommy Robson here last week for the
reason that he did not wish to take the
| chance Of sustaining an injury which
would force a postponement Of their
battle
Weinstein Talks Of Benny
Jack weinstein. an intimate friend OF
Leonard, was talking with the cham
pion this morning. Jack smiled when
told of the request made by Lewis and
replied Yes. ! know Lewis wanted
Benny to remain idle tonight but that
will not stop Leonard from boxing. Ben
n.y. has his own ideas about training fol
/ big fights and doesn't need any o!
Lewss suggestions on getting in shape
The champion always has trained fol
his big battles by engaging in fights
with good opponents. This Pierce is
tough fellow and vii! give Benny Jus
the kind of test he needs. 1t is usees!
for Lewis TO take the trouble and advise
Benny how to get in shape. II was
very thoughtful on the part Of thu
welterweight king
Pierce proved that he is a rugged fel
low and a hard fighter in his battles
with irish Patsy Cline and Georg'
Chaney in this city. He forced both t.
the limit Harry Kid Brown, the Soutl
Philadelphia High School boy. vii! op
pose Sammy Schlff in the semlwlndun
In the other bouts Ralph Sweigart meet
Joe Mendel Joe Jackson engages 81
Wolfe and Frankie Ray battles Boh6
North
Harry Wills Wins
Harry Wills. the giant colored fighter
trounced Jack Thompson. another col
ored battler in the wind-up az the "a
tional A. 4. Saturday night. VIII
handed out severe lac'ng during LII
six rounds. =. On plumber of occasion
he seemed to have Thompson ready I
take the count. but never was anie I
nut over the sleep producer. Padd
Mullins, manager of Wills claims h
protege injured his left hand in the mr.
round. and that deprived him OF
knockout victory.
Thompson received the worst trouh'
ing he has taken in Quaker CITY rlh
His right eye was closed and he Die
from the mouth and nose. Wills fousi
well enough. hut his failure to put ava
Thompson brought down the wrath
the galleries. - '. -
Bobby Gunnis was a happy perso
Joe Welsh. his star fighter. registers
his second consecutive knockout, sto
ming Billy Cannon in the third rpun
4 wicked right to the jaw ended u
fight. Now that Welsh has develops
a kayo he should prove to be da
gerous boy
In the prelinfris ries frankie ConNs
made good in his bout with Dunn
Thomas, winning a clean-cut declsi'
in six hard rounds Bobby Burma
stopped Mickey Kramer in the secon
and Kid Wolfe won over Johnny Buc
Hog Island bantam champion. wol
now is under the management OF Bobl
Calhoun.