The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-20

nave Deeu COInp0lIcO W cusci eA'C Use
Benny Leonard IL a lazy CHAMPION
II ever there was one. He ranks In
this regard with Johnny kilbane
and Jack Dempsey. Over q space
OF ten months Leonard has appeared
In the ring but four times. In that
time he has boxed only Twenty-Five
rounds, averaging less than three
rounds monthly. -,
last winter. on January IA, to be
exact, Leonard fought q tough bout
with Richie Mitchell, knocking out
the Milwaukeean In six rounds. On
February 81 he stopped Eddie Moy In
three rounds at Dayton, Ohio. Three
days later he boxed eight rounds with
Joe yelling at St. Louis. 1t began
TO look as II Leonard meant to keep
in shape by actual ring work.
But then the champion began
slumbering and 1t was until June
that he easily outpointed Rocky Kan
sas at Harrison, N. j., IN Twelve
rounds. He has not entered the ring
since that night.
Was . Hard Fight.
Tho Mitchell bout was a hard
fight. The Westerner dropped Leon
ard in the first round. throwing
scare into him. Then Benny came to
u
losing his title and he administered
a terrific licking to Mitchell. knock
ing him down six times before the
Milwaukee. lad finally heard tho birdie
sing. There has never been any
doubt of Leonard's ability. which
makes his lOafing all the more
mystery.
Eddie Moy was outclassed. Leonard
hardly getting up a sweat In the
three rounds of their meeting. Joe
yelling. who had gone fourteen
rounds with the champion in Novem-
Der. 1920. WAS Outclassed In st. Louis.
though he stayed the distance.
Rocky Kansas appeared frightened
when he stepped through the ropes
at Harrison. N. j.. and did not be-
gin to show at his best. 1t was a
romp for Leonard.
Thumb Rescues Him.
A few months ago. after talking
Agreed to meet Lew Tender. but Tor
some strange reason he found that
he couldn't keep, his date. He pro-
duced on affidavit from doctor that
his thumb was broken. Aside from
Billy Gibson, Leopard and the doc
tor. nobody has taken q closeup OF
that broken thumb.
| Phil Glassman, manager OF Tender.
has retained Leonard's $4,000 forfeit,
promising to hand 1t back A. soon
as the champion signs up for . bout
with Tender. Glassman sttll has
tho money. Leonard shows little de-
though he probably would defeat him.
Leonard is a wonderful little boxer.
He has everything required Of cham
pion. But whether he can maintain
his skill idling about New York Is
another matter. 1t has always been
claimed, for instance. that too much
loafing takes the edge Off q boxer q
eye, that no needs actually work In
the ring to keep at his best-
Tuesday night Leonard. who IL not
making weight for tho scrap. ID 70
tackle q busy. hard-woricing little rel.
low. Freedman 10 going to make 100
pounds in order to take advantage OF
a possible knockout victory on his
part. Weighing 1876 pounds, such
victory would give him the title.
Has Worked Often.
Where Leonard has appeared but
four times in the ring since 1921 came
along, Freedman has boxed eighteen
times for q total of something like
$50 rounds. He has faced Tender
twice, with all credit to himself, too
He has met all the toughest light
weights in the country including
Rocky Kansas, quite the toughest
Leonard is a crafty person. He WI
not enter the Ice Palace ring unless
he feels sure of himself. II he doesn't
he'll find some new-fangled excuse FOL
asking a postponement. II he does
appear. however. he will have to prov,
TO the fans that he can overcome wha'
many another boxer has failed to do
to wit, be fit without actual ring work
The champion will be a favorite tf
defeat Freedman, who IL not a marVe
by any stretch of the imagination
The Chicago boxer IL merely n strong
willing lad with ambitions. However
many such have won ring titles ere
now, Somebody will some time take
the crown from Leonard's brow jus
as he took It from Freddie Welsh's.
Ring champions have made the mis-
take before now OF not preparing fol
certain rivals they scorned. Leonard
may have a poor opinion OF Freed
; man, which might prove sorry Trims
. for the titleholder. This has happened
more than once. 1t may happen t.
; Leonard. d..