Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-15
BENNY LEONARD
NOW AN ACTOR
Calls Off Olympia Bout to
Star in Benefit Play,
'Yap, Yap, Yaphank''
By JAMES S. CAROLAN

The stage has beckoned to Benny
Leonard. The lightweight champion
has confined most of his entertainment
to the squared circle. but now the call
of the "legit" has been heard and the
great fighter will appear in a leading
role
The Olympia A. A. had planned to
have Benny Leonard in the wind-up at
the opening show On the night of Au-
gust 26. Benny lost no time in inform
ing Promoter Leon Rains that duties
as an actor would not permit him TO
appear.
Irving Berlin, the song writer. now
in the service, has written a play. "Yap,
zap. Yaphank." winch will be produced
in New York beginning next week The
receipts will be turned over to the SOL
diers' athletic fund. Leonard has
heavy part to play and is so occupied
daily rehearsing that he has had little
time to do any training.
Ready for Second Show
Leonard, however. informed promoter
Rains that he would be available for
the. second show. In the meantime the
Olympia management is seeking
worthy opponent for the lightweight
champion.
The champion is a versatile youth
Last April he convinced a New Haven
gathering that he coulc speak as well
as box. He was called into the ring and
before departing auctioned off his own
photograph for $3.50, the money going to
the soldiers tOba Geo fund.
Before starting his stage career Ben
ny will take part in an exhibition bout
for the benefit of the Knights of Column
bus war fund at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn,
tomorrow night. The x. of G. advanced
the date of their show one week In order
to gain the services of the champion
Promoter Leon Rains today announced
that Lew Tender, southpaw feather
weight. and Harvey Thorpe. of Kansas
City. would he the windup artists at
the opening show. Johnny Mealey and
windup.
Scraps About Scrappers
The bantams will have the call at the
SambriS ,sn 9pen,Sir ys 6GxiGs club Gmorrow
Murray murray and Bobby Doyle Hfr VIII come ss toaetheT
Wallace and Young Merino:, wel.knowh per
sohSy Burns frankie Gonwag FTeday
Williams VS.. johnny Morgan and Young
the remainder of the card
Irish Patsy Cline and George Clancy will
supply me eptertainment at the orenng
OF August "a Matchmaker Frank tPop)
o. Brien has a good sunnorting show.
Benny >Valger will invade the ranks of
the light weights, when he engages Harry
Condor before the Eastern A.. A., of Long
Edde Kelly ana Barney MeGovern M be
in the semifnal
Jimmy Wilde. the English hyweight cham
pion, has agreed to meet Joe Conn. English
featherweight champion. in twenty-round
ber. They are to fight for purse OF s1S, 900.
of which Wilde is to receive the lions share.
to fsa S $1,000 ms SmSun, sss
been turned over to the state Treasury.
The commission expects this sum to reach
the 100000 mark before the end of the
year.
Sergeant Bombadier Wells. English heavy
weight has been matched for another battle
In London. He will meet Frank Godda rd in
twenty-round bout for purse Of $12, 500
next month.
Tom .Cowler. heayyweiEht battler.- who
Sad the 81 atisfaction Of flooring Fred Fulton
near, the turnstiles and looks them over
.sey h. tom sG is
talent.
WilIns, Britt says the, Hog Island show
August 20 will be the best benefit perform
ance OF the season. The Hog Island fighters
Snd chester Bsitt FIT
says Charlie Schwab viii referee one OF
the bouts