New-York tribune., 1921-06-05
Leonard Gives
Kansas Chance
At His Title
Lightweight Championship
of the World 70 Be
Stake in Harrison Battle

Benny Leonard. lightweight champion
of the world, VIII defend his title in
the baseball park at Harrison, y. j.. TO-
morrow night against Rocky Kansas.
of Buffalo. In compliance with the
laws of New Jersey, the bout is limited
to twelve rounds. but the upstate
standard bearer is firmly convinced
that he will stop the little Harlem He
brew, and the champion mas ayowed
that he will eliminate Rocky from con-
tention by decisive victory.
Kansas gave Leonard a hard fight In
bttle some time ago, and to accord
the Buffalonian full credit ne is one
of the toughest and gamest men Benny
has been called upon TO meet. A year
ago the up-stater was little known out
side of his home territory, but in twelve
months he has fought his way rapidly
to the top, bowling over men Of great
ring prowess with startling precision.
Once before Leonard and Kansas
were matched to box, and that time
Madison Square was to have been the
battle-ground But Benny was stricken
with influenza and for weeks was COM
PEELED to lay off. He has come back
his close followers say, in better condi-
tion than he has been for months, and
he will enter the ring tomorrow night
at his best.
Leonard Takes no Chances
Judging by recent performances in
training. Leonard is taking no chances
with Kansas. and his skill with the
mitts will be supported by determine
tion to finish of the Buffalonian III
handy style.
Leonard and Kansas are evenly
matched physically. In age and weight
they measure up about equal. The
champion has just turned twenty-five
years and the challenger is twenty
six. The weight called for is 1S5
pounds at , O'Clock tomorrow after
noon. There is no doubt the boys will
fulfill this end of their agreement, and
if there is a difference the Harlemite
will nave the advantage by less than
pound,
Kansas is short and stocky. His legs
are slender, and most of his weight is
above the waist line, principally in the
chest and shoulders, which makes for
punching power. Leonard is built along
almost exactly opposite lines His legs
are heavy and his body angular and
graceful. His shoulders are well
rounded and he possesses a hard punch,
which he delivers With either hand. He
Is dangerous opponent at all times
and the slightest opening in Rockys
defense will be used to the fullest ad-
vantage
Leonards reach exceeds that Of the
challenger by almost an inch and a
quarter, and he is at least that much
taller than Kansas, but in body meas
9rements Rocky has big handicap.
Inc Buifalonian, in fact, has the body
OF welterweight on the legs OF
teatferweight, but is not considered
nearly so fast as the champion and
nothing like so scientific
Kansas. to Face Bombardment
Kansas win be battered hard by
benny, and the question is whether he
can withstand the bombardment ard
ccme back to put over winning punch.
Mitchell proved that Leonard can be
hit said Rocky yesterday. "If | hit
hlm on the jaw he'll never get up until
they carry him to his corner"
rms elaborate statement comes with
rather poor grace after Rocky's Me-
morlai Day battle with Gene belmont,
VINO at best is second rater Kansas
mad belmont at his mercy in every
round of this bout, which was fought
at Ridgewood Park, and there is no
aoubt he tried with everything he had
IN stock to put belmont down for the
count
But Gene weathered the storm and
not once was even so much as knocked
OH ms feet. On his showing with Del
mont Rocky's stock tomorrow night is
not considered above per.
Leonard won the lightweight cham
plonship on May %, 1917, and he has
proved a popular champion. He has
never yet lodged single aspirant for
ms title, but has met all likely con-
tenders in the order of their success
SION. In popularity, Benny's reign at
the top of his division is comparable
cnly to the incumbency of Battling Mel
son. In holding the title four years,
benny has accomplished something few
champions have equsled.