The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-16
LEONARD TO BOX
ANY CHALLENGER
Bring 'em On He Says;
Made Legitimate
Weight Friday

NEW YORK. Jan. 'lJ.--Bonn,
Leonard Is still monarch Of all h.
surveys.
The lightweight champion Of IN.
world stands today in n class yerv
much by himself and he had dam.
onstrated ability. strength ana sn,od
at 1874 pouncs that should rnn.s
apprehension among the army az
would-be champions who have been
bowling on his trail.
No Doubt Of Ihnny's Class
BY knocking out Richie Mitchsn
Garden. Leonard disposed Of ons ot
his most notable rivals and he did n
In a manner that left no doubt abou,
his class.
Leonard's victory was the result n,
his prolific right hand and the cool.
est head that has set up on tho
shoulders of lightweight cham.
pion in the history OF the diversion.
He started Mitchell on the road
to defeat In the first minute ~ the
first round with terrific rich,
handler to the Jaw that flattencd the
Milwaukee boy for the coun, q.
zine. From that time on the west.
erner fought in dazed condition
but fought the gamest and most sen.
sational battle that New York has
ever Witnessed.
Iconar,i's Quick Brain.
Before the first round ended and
after flooring Mitchell three times
Leonard was himself floorcd by
hard left hook to the chin that sent
him down for the count Of nine,
That punch carried so much force
that II knocked Leonard cross-eyed.
For three or four seconds he did
not know what happened, Then his
quick brain cleared and hc took the
count OF nine. His head work dur
ing the remainder of the bout lost
Mitchell the temporary advantage he
had gained and paved the road to
victory.
Leonard not only demonstrated
that he Ia the possessor OF a knock
out waflop, but that he ranks among
the clevereS boxers and greatest
ring generals the lightweight diyis-
| ion has known.
He also proved to some who may
have doubted his ruggedness. that he
can take a terrific punch on the jaw
and come back for more.
The punch Mitchell landed on the
Ichampion's chin was hard enough 10
have sent the average lightweight
to dreamland and during the battle
Richie missed enough right handers
to have won several lightweight
titles. Riches punches had the
stuff In them but he did not have
Leonard's address. all of which indl'
Gates that Leonard Is a wizard in the
art OF taking care OF himself.
Hardest Punch lie Ever Stopped.
Leonard blames carelessness for
the fact that Mitchell floorcd him
and in the same breath admits that
the punch was the hardest he has
ever stopped.
IT was knocked down because |
got n trifle careless for a moment
for any other reason. ] underesti-
timated Mitchcll's ability in that
moment because / had Just floored
him three times. That was very
bad mistake on my part. II might
have cost me the title. II won't
happen again. Incidentally. that
punch was the hardest one 7 ever
stopped, but in a way I'm glad now
thatsI was dropped. 1t proved TO-
my friends that I can take n punch.
In the wake OF his victory.
Leonard made the announcement
that ne will defend his title as often
as the promoters can tie up suitable
:, challengers.
"Then can bring on the Tenders
Jacksons. Dundees, Hartlcys or any
of the others as fast they IKE,
said Leonard. IT am ready for ihem
Tender is the only lightweight OK
recognized class whom ! have not
m ct but 1t has been no fault ot m'n'
Let him come" t.,
Tender and Jackson BON cha.-
Ienged the winner OF last nights
bout and one of tho pair VIII prop,
ably be matched with Benny IN tne
near future. Pinkie Mlt'htl,
RICHES brother, Is another lad VINO
wants n crack at Leonard
IrOnnrd's Critics Silent.
Leonard's critics-and nc las
many-were silent today REGARDING
his right to be classed as a les'u
mate lightweight. ,r,
In making l34 pounds, Ieonard
proyed all that he has claimed to nt1'
and more. And In defeating MitchcU'
one OF the gamest lightwelgns nanS MA
ever drew on a glove, LeonaIu IN. =.
a chapter to lightweight history ,n"t
will always be remembered VII q
thrill by every one VINO wllhoS9o'
the bout. go,
I745.6O into the garden last hlS".,
They fought for the benetn U,
fund to restore devastated fra"t.
and the American commitlee ~
charge of the fund, headed by Me
Anne Morgan will realize naI"
some profit on the match alteT, Un
ducting $4,000 for Leonard ,"n,o
900 for Mitchell and perhaps s''"oV
more for incidental expenses