Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-15

tQok the count Of nine His head work
sing the remainder Cf the round pre-
Anted Mitchell from following up the
Temporary advantage he had gained and
paved the road t. victory.
Leonard not only demonstrated that he
is still the pOSsessOr Of knockout wal
Top, but that he ranks among the clev-
crest boxers and greatest ring generals
the lightweight division has known He
Rlsp proved to some who may have
doubted his ruggedness that he can take
a terrific punch on the jaw and come
back for more.
BENNY PROVES
HIS CLEVERNESS.
The punch Mitchell landed on the
champions chin was hard enough to
have sent the average lightweight TO
drea inland. and during the battle Richie
missed enough right-nande-s to have won
several lightweight titles. Richie
punches had the stuff in them. but he did
not have LeOnard's address. all OF which
indicates that Leonard is a WARD in7thes
art OF taking c-re Of himself
Leonard hlames careIessnCss for the
fact that Mitchell foored him and in the
same breath admits that the punch was
the hardest he has ever stopped.
at was Knocked down because ! got
trife careless foc a moment" said Leon
ard today. ~ don't think it YVES for
any other reason. underestimated
MitchelIs ability in that moment because
I had lust foored him three times. That
might have cost me the title. 1t won't
happen again. Incidentally, that punch
was the hardest one / ever stopped, but
in a way I'm glad now that was
dropped. 1t proved to my friends that
I can take punch
<Ir the wake of his victory Leonard
made the announcement that he will lie
fend his title just as often as the pro-
mOters can line up suitable challeD2ers.
They can bring on the Tenders,
Jscksons. Dundees, Hartley or any of the
others as fast they like said Leonard.
Il am ready for them. Tender is the
only lightweight Of recognized class
whom l have not met but it has been no
fault of mine. Let him come"
Tender and Jackson both challenged
the winner Of last nights bout and one
Of the pair probably will be matched
with Benny in the near future. Pinkie
Mitchell, Riches brother, is another lad
who wants crack at Leonard.
WHAT RICHES
BROTHER SAYS.
statement made today by Willie
Mitchell, brother and manager of the
defeated Milwaukee boy. goes a long way
to prove the effectiveness Of Leonard's
punches.
"The first punch that foored Richie
turned the tide" said brother Willie.
at dazed him and from that time on
he fought In state Of semi-cOma. 1t
prevented him from taking advantage o.
Leonard after he had hoOred the champ.
The fight might as well have ended in
that first round"
Leonard's critics-and he has had
many-were silent today regarding his
right TO be classed as a legitimate light
weight.
In making 1874 pounds he proved that
he Is all that he has claimed to be-and
more. And in defeating Richie Mitchell,
one Of the gamest lightweights who ever
drew On a glove, Leonard added chap
ter to lightweight history that always
will be remembered with a thrill by
Leonard and Mitchell drew S133 745 go
into the Garden last night. They fought
for the benefit Of the fund to restore
devastated France and the American
committee in charge OF the fund, headed
10y Miss Anne Morgan. will realize a hand
some profit on the match after deducting
$4,000 for Leonard $4,000 for Mitchell
aud perhaps $1,000 or more for incidental
expenses.