The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-27
LEONARD READY FOR
BOUT WITH RITCHIE
Champion Expects to Turn
Tables on Former Title
Holder.
NOT A SLUGGING MATCH
Principals Are the Highest
Type Of Scientific Boxers
and Hitters.
NOT A SLUGGING MATCH


Richie, who received an unofficial de-
cision over Benny Leonard in four
round bout in San Francisco, will re-
peat the operation tomorrow night in
Newark over the eight round route.
A bout limited to four or eight rounds
Is a trlhe too short for boxers of the
cleverness of the present and former
champions of the lightweight class TO
demonstrate superiority in a decisive
manner.
II would be quite possible for one or
the other to score enough points in
scientific boxing to entitle him to the
decision, but unless each was intent on
winning by knockoue and abandoned
the effective defensive tactics in which
each is a master there would be small
prospect OF either taking the full count.
1t would be possible for either to re-
csive Knockout punch II they started
IN to exchange punches and abandoned
their customary caution.
II a title depended or the result there
would no doubt be some heavy hitting,
for Leonard battered Welsh to help
less condition In nine rounds when he
took the title from the Briton. and
Richie and Wolgast fought terriically
up to the time that Wolgast was dis
qualified in the sixteenth round on n
foul.
On Their Merits.
It should not be Inferred that Leonard
and Richie will not box on their merits,
for reports OF the California engagement
are to the effect that Richie was a bit
shaky in the last round and that pre-
viously he had put one OF Leonard's eyes
in mourning.
The onlookers are assured OF con-
test between two of the highest type
OF boxing experts, and that the encoun-
ter will be full of action there can be
not the slightest doubt.
There is nothing in the record of
Benny Leonard to imply that he does
not put forth his best efforts every time
he enters the ring. His knockouts have
been too frequent to admit OF any ques-
tion on that point. While some dissatis-
faction was expressed over his contest
with Kid Lewis yet there was no ground
for the belief that either failed to do his
best.
1t would be bit too much to ask OF
q title holder when IN the ring with q
dangerous hitter to forego the usual pre-
cautions taken by a scientific boxer.
bcoHdTu WOuiu nave peen unWlse 10
abandon his defence and. standing toe
to toe with Lewis, trade punches till
one or the other toppled.
Boxers who are lacking in defence
naturally resort to punching to win. and
they are compelled to depend on their
physical ruggedness to carry them
through. but the higher class of boxers
always have and always will protect
themselves through speed. parrying.
blocking and tootwork. No one ever
asked Jim Corbett to stand up and
swap punches with heavy hitters and
James would have laughed consumedly
at such request
Corbett's Cnhittable Nose.
Corbett boasts that no one ever hit
him solidly on the nose, and his only
weak spot was his solar plexus region.
Therefore, why should any one ask
Leonard to anchor himself and exchange
thumps' with Richie or any other ef-
fective puncher? Those who go to a
boxing bout in the hope of seeing two
men pound each other all about the
ring may be disappointed. but the bet
ter class of boxing devotees, who delight
in science as we'll as hard hitting, will
be served with pugilistic feast.
Richie and Leonard are two OF the
brainiest boxers that ever answered the
gong. their mental standards indicating
distinct advance In the intellectual
branch Of pugilisn.
Leonard now Is at the zenith of his
physical powers, being but 90 years of
age, and having led careful, absteni-
Gus life He should be at his very best
when he enters the ring tomorrow night,
for he has had ample opportunity to
recover from the effects Of his arduous
work as q camp boxing instructor
Richie is but five years the senior Of
the lightweight champion, but q. 20
should be In fine fettle for "a physical
contest. The Californian has been quite
as careful in his mode of living as the
champion, and has conserved his ener-
gies. An ardent deVotee of outdoor
sport, including golf. Rtchie Is doubtless
NJ the apex Of physical excellence at
the present time.
He won the lightweight championship
from Wolgast in 1912 and lost to Freddie
Welsh in London IN 1914. Since that
time he has boxed considerably, but
mostly short bouts.
CnTIA Gil T0ETnNEUC