New-York tribune., 1920-11-27

CrO,ud S1udrn,s Garden
Hours Before Contest
By W. |. Macbeth

By W. ]. Macbeth
Scenes around the historic Garden
from 6 O'Clock until almost the time
Leonard and yelling clambered into
the ring carried New York's snort
owing public back to the red letter
days Of the Dorando-J ohnnv HAYES
bition.
Seldom If ever before was such g
concourse of noisy sport wooers
crowded within the amphitheater which
has smiled down on every game, every
variety, every form Of sport, comedy
and tragedy sincee the big town was
IN sWaddling clothes. The crowd was
limited by capacity only@badly stretche d
and crowded capacity at that, and the
long armed minions of the fire laws
saw to 1t that the aisles and raftcrs
were not unduly congested.
Many Women Fans Present
Every body who was anybody. it
seemed, was at the ringside or not far
away from it. In the circle Of lirht
thrown by the big cluster Of mean
aescents> directly over the ring could
be seen many of New Yorks most
prominent-socially, financially and
mentally. And, too, physically. Tor
V"@' 'h"ttei- nolne OF tne NneSt phySl-
cal types, beetle-browed and scowling,
leered out of the galleries before the
lights were doused and ogled the
daintily-gowned women who braved
the smoke clouds of the big pit.
When, shortly before $3.50. An
nouncer Joe Humphreys introduced
Harvey Bright. of Brooklyn, and jim
my Howard. of Hoboken, for the first
preliminary Of six rounds, there was
not vacant seat to be found closer
than Fifth Avenue. Howard weighed
Da:. Hickey did not have to render a
decision, as the judges gave the fight
to Bright on points.
In the other bouts, Frank Mcclure,
Of Williamsport, Pa, defeated Jim
Duffy, Of Chicago, in a snshng ten
round bout, and Panama Joe Cans
knocked out George Christian. This
latter bout appeared to be 8 dancing
contest in the first two rounds and
when the crowd began yelling for ac-
ton Cans whipped over a left upper
cut and ended the argument.
yelling First in Ring
yelling was first to enter the ring
lie came in DIT 9:42, attended by his
manager, Nate Lewis, and bevy Of
handlers. A flock of camera men were
already lined up for the usual fash
light stuff while they waited the pleas
ure of Champion Leonard
The 81 500 diamond belt, which Tex
Rickard is to present to the winner
of the fight as emblematic of the light
weight championship of the world. was
next shown by Announcer Humphreys,
and caused maay q sigh Of envy from
the ringside chairs where the scions
of the press we're ensconced. Leonard
entered the ring ar 9:47 and after the
customary Introduction of fstiania's 8
notables. the hight was on.
Near Comedy at Weighing In
That Benny Leonard, worlds light
weight champion, was the champion,
and legitimately, a. least. when his
battle against Joe yelling started was
proved to the satisfaction Of twoscore
newspaper men and privileged fight
devotees at Madison Square Garden at
2 o'cloci; Yesterday afternoon. At that
me Leonard weighed exactly 1874 and
yelling 1875 pounds. Walter Hooke, q
member Of the New York State Box
ing Commission, officiated at the
scales.
There was touch Of near comedy
70 the proceeding, and, indeed. two Of
.icial eighings. When Leonard first
stepped onto the scales the beam was
finally balanced at 134H pounds.
yelling scaled 1861 pounds.
Il cannot understand it at all, ;" cried
Welling and his manager, Nate Lewis,
n unison.
"Why, Joe just weighed before he
left the ho.el.' moaned Lewis. "and he
failed to move the beam at 1875
pounds"
"If there has been any tampeTing
with these scales" said Billy Gibson,
manager Of Leonard, Il certainly wish
to know it. III bet million dollars
20 plugged dime Benny doesn't
weigh 1856"
Il could claim your thousand-d dollar
forfeit" Gibson continued, turning to
Nate Lewis. "Perhaps l should claim
"But I'll not he finished, half
banteringly.
"It's a fine commentary on the light
weight DIVISION" Gibson continued,
when a champion mas to concede
weight TO challenger. But half
pound or two is nothing in the young
life of my boy"
Don't Need Money" Says Leonard
Leonard refused even for moment
to entertain the idea Of claiming Vel
iing's thousand, which he was justi-
/ fed in doing after the first official
= don't need money that bad" he
smiled.
Meanwhile, q battery Of newspaper
photographers had gathered to snap
ne two fighters in ring costume on
! he scales Welling had forgotten to
bring trunks and had to borrow those
# the champion.
The champion and challenger en-
gagged in fling or two of good
naturcd banter as they were dressing
All this time Walter Hvoke, of the
Boxing Commission, had been subject
lng the scales 10 the most rigorous ex-
/ animation. He finally discovered q
mall piece of wood under the plat
torn. After having this removed he
rdered the pugilists TO strip and re
weigh. the scales having been balanced
/ perfectly and levelled 1t was found
then that Leonard weighed only 1874
pounds and that yelling saved his for
feit. The Chicagoan weighed exactly
l35 pounds.
@ NJ