The New York herald., 1921-01-15
Lightweight Champion,
Felled in First Round,
Gains Victory in Sixth
at Garden.
REFEREE STOPS BOUT
Miss Anne Morgan Receives
Ovation When She Is III
troduced to Crowd by
Announcer.
AL SMITH ALSO THERE
Debutantes Sell Programmes
Receipts Net 100000 for
Relief Of Devastated
French Regions.
Il SMITH ALSO THERE

Never before was there a battle for
the lightweight championship of the
world in this city--never before was
there a setting for any fistic encounter
in this country such as met the gaze
of more than $4,000 spectators in
Madison Square Garden last night
While social lights of both sexes,
clad in opera raiment which converted
the drab, old arena into scene which
here and there blazed with color, sat
by in wonderment over the unfamiliar
developments which crowded fast upon
one another Benny Leonard, light
weight title holder, after being floored
in the first round. knocked out Richie
Mitchell of Milwaukee in the sixth. 1t
was to have been fifteen round con-
test.
1t was a record breaking boxing
event in many ways. While Leonard
received $4,000 and Mitchell got $2o,-
900 the profits went to no professional
promoter. The affair was held for the
benefit of the American Fund for
Devastated France, and as the receipts
exceeded s160.000 that worthy cause
will realize approximately 100000.
where Credit Belongs.
Never before had lightweight
championship bout in this city even
approached the 100000 mark in re-
ceipts. The remarkable success OF the
affair reflected great credit -en Miss
Anne Morgan, leading spirit in the
charity. 1t was the business acumen
and the Midas touch OF the Morgans.
as translated through this vlrile
woman, which made the venture the
surprising success which il was.
While Leonard still is the light
weight champion of the world this
morning he knows at last what it is
10 be downed. to be hard pressed in
the face of the furious assault of a
courageous opponent, to be forced to
fight as he never fought before. and
TO give demonstration OF his game
ness. Mitchell was stopped. but only
after he had not only sent Leonard to
the canvas but had staggered the
champion twice and given him his
hardest fight since he won the title
from Freddy Welsh in May, 1917.
But with all his courage and all his
ability TO hit, Mitchell could not stand
up against the terrific punishment
which the champion meted out without
mercy. Mitchell was knocked down
three times in the first round and after
he had been forced to the canvas thrice
In the sixth and was unable to defend
himself. John Hauhup, the referee.
stopped the slaughter For what had
been a real contest in the fifth developed
into veritable butchery in the next ses-
sion.
Flooring OF Leonard.
1t was in the first round. when he APP
peared to be a certain winner even in
that self same session, that Leonard
was floored. for the first time since he
was stopped by frankie Fleming In
1918. as novice. he experienced the
mingled sensations and suffered the
ndignity of being sent down for the
count of nine.
And what q surprising knockdown IL
was The champion had sent Mitchell
down three times in quick succession
and three times tho young boxer from
Wisconsin rose to face anew the smash
ing attack of one of the hardest hitters
in the history OF the lightweight title.
Thrice Mitchell had felt the stunning
sting of the Leonard left and the Leon
ard right. and when he rose for the
third time 1t was accounted a miracle.
This man Mitchell was a fighter OF q
day Of ring romance which men had
thought had passed. Verify. fighting
fool
But as matters turned out Mitchell
was no fool. Instead OF rising only to
20 down for fourth time Mitchell toed
tho scratch with his opponent with fire
in his eye and determination In every
line Of his already bruised face. As
Leonard feinted lightly. with smile on
his wan face Mitchell launched forth a
terrific left to the solar plexus and fol-
lowed in a thrice with a smashing right
over the champions right eye.
Eyes Bulge with Amaxement.
And horror OF horrors for the thou
sands OF Leonard odnlitefs VINO only
moment before had sent their paean OF
victory resounding through the raftcrs
of the old arena-thc champion Of the
world went down Blood began 10 spurt
from "a cut over his eye. His eyes
popped out with astonishmcnt. He.
Leonard. had been fioored TIe did not
seem TO be able to believe It, and he
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Continued ou T,rcIffb puUe