New-York tribune., 1919-03-08
Leonard Defies
Ritchie as He
Travels Home
Wild William Gibson Wants
Ii Understood That Benny
Was ''There'' i'll Frisco
By w. O. Mcclellan

Benny Leonard is on his way East,
uttering defiance of Willie Ritchie
through the eloquent mouthpiece of his
manager, Wild William Gibson, as he
travels. The lightweight champion
wants to be on hand when the Gibbs
or Malone bills or a combination Of
both become law restoring business at
the Sign of the Caulifower Ear
According to Gibson, Ritchic is
anxious to regain the lightweight
championship He weighed in for the
Leonard match in San Francisco at 140
pounds. Wild William proposed a re-
turn match with Leonard for the light
weight championship at 1877 pounds.
Since when did that mark hold for the
lightweight limit? However, the rules
and established customs of the ring
game have not stood for anything be-
tween managers of late
Wild William, as he wends his way
homeWard also wants it understood
that Leonard got little the worst of
IT in the verdict for the go with Ritche
He declares that in the first two rounds
Ritchie, taking advantage of his super
Tor tonnage, pushed Leonard all over
the ring but that in the last two
rounds it was merely a question Of
how soon Leonard would land the hay
maker. Leonard did not land the hay
maker however,
Ritchie will be drifting eastward
right on the trail of Leonard and there
is no doubt that there viii be j repro
duction of the San Francisco battle
as soon as the fighting bill goes
through. The result may be similar
or different, but the house certainly
will be larger. Richie is his own
manager and matchmaker and he drives
a hard bargain, as one Freddie Welsh
Will testify.
The comeback Of Ritchie bears with
1t one menace. 1t may start the re-
crudescence of lot Of the contempor-
ary lightweights Of his time. Leach
Cross and Freddie Welsh have sung
their Adolina PATHS, but they will begin
to figure that if Ritchie can do it. they
also should be good for n few more
purses to carry them through the
tough winter which is scheduled to fol-
low this mild one.
The date Of The hcaring on tho Gibbs
boxing bill has been set definitely for
tNe l1Vn Inc fathcr OF the bill has
invited all of those interested to meet
him at Albany on that date to discuss
the fine points Of the bill. Many are
interested, bat owing to the long lay
Off sustained by local managers and
boxers the attendance at the meeting
promises to be slim. 1t is extremely
difficult to ride the rods on the New
York Central, and the pugilists claim
that under the circumstances the Pull
man and even the Sullivan rates to the
capital are excessive.
Kid Broad has been asked to ad
dress the Senate Battling Keefc has
volunteered to explain the measure to
the Senate.
Some time ago | accused Mike Glib
pons of staling at Ebbets Field in a
bout with Soldier Bartfeld. The Ghost
WAS pcevcd at tho size Of the house and
boxed in an Indifferent fashion. SC
mat the decision went to the soldier
Gibbons was very indignant when ac-
cused of stullng.
The other day the pair met again
in Michaels home town and Michael
made the Soldier look like novice.
Michael never gave New York its
moneys worth in any bout he fought
mere. Michael seems to have it fig
ured that there are more suckers on
the big time than there are in the
bush. And maybe Michael is right.