The Connecticut labor press. (New Haven, Conn.) 191?-1921, 1921-01-08
Leonard Makes WEIGHT

Lightweight Champion Benny Leon
ard, the only other high class fighting
man of the present day also defended
his title twice during the year. Leonard
stopped Charley White in nine rounds at
Benton Harbor last July, and did not
add much to his prestige, according to
some reports of the mill, which had it
at one time having the champion in
trouble. Opinion appeared to differ on
this point, however, other ringsiders de-
claring that Leonard had merely toyed
with the Chicago veteran.
LeOnard's second championship bout,
which was with Joe yelling in the Gar
den, was a more important affair, as
Leonard, for the first time since winning
the title, was forced to make weight.
The champion got down as low as 1874
pounds at o'clock, and it was differ
ent looking Leonard that climbed
through the ropes that night The
champions figure had lost much of its
graceful lines, and it was evident that
making the weight had cost him seri-
Gus effort. -
would not last more than four rounds,
would be the limit, but yelling fooled
him-or he was deceived by his own
condition-for it was not until the 18th
round that the bout ended, and then
yelling was not on the floor, but on his
feet and anxious to continue
Leonard now is going to make the
same weight for Richie Mitchell, a
boxer who figures to put up sitter op-
position than the slothful yelling, so it
is evident that Leonard is satisfied with
his ability to make weight. However,
that is a matter that has deceived many
boxers in the past.
Two Titles Lost
Two titleholders lost their crowns
during the year. Mike O'Dowd, who
won the middleweight title from Al
Mccoy, took part in one night stand
affair with an unknown named Johnny
Wilson in a Boston ring and at the
conclusion of the engagement the
referee handed the decision and with it
the title to Wilson.
Since that entirely unexpected hap
pening Wilson has done little fighting
in this section of the country he con-
scented to take on Soldier Bartfeld over
in Jersey. The Soldier had been out
of the ring for some time and was not
in the best of form, yet he caused Will
son all kinds of trouble, although the
champion had big advantage in height,
reach and weight. Wilson now declines
to consider a match for the title,
although he has been offered alluring
terms.
Pete Herman of New Orleans was
the other tit1ehOlder to lose his crown
The Crescent City bantam proved to
be rather easy for Joe Lynch, although
the latter was not in the best of form
and was further handicapped by a badly
injured hand after the third round.
Herman had succeeded in fooling his
closest followers regarding his ability.
Even his former manager was of the
opinion that the champion had always
been under cover and that he would
disclose his real form for the first time.
He was 50 sure of this fight that he sent
up a large commission from New Or
leans to back his judgment. But Her
man evidently had nothing in conceal
ment for he put up the same timid,
harmless sort Of an exhibition that he
had done on so many other occasions.
Even the knowledge that his title was
slipping away from him could not stir
him into action.