Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-15
z BOUTS IN YEAR
FOR BEN LEONARD.
In the Meantime Sailor Fried
man Has Been Appearing
in Bouts Regularly
TO MEET AT ICE PALACE
BY IOIIS Ii. LAEEE

Three and half months have elapsed
tince Benny Leonard and Sailor Fried
man originally were supposed TO push
leather in the general direction of each
other. The scene changes from the
open air at Benton Harbor, Mich,
where they were to have been formally
introduced--from opposite corners. July
4, to the enclosure at the Ice Palace,
here in Philadelphia. Tomorrow night
week the champion and his Chicago
rival will answer the tnkle of the gong
at the West Philadelphia arena in a
scheduled eight rounder.
II anything, Friedman will get into
action with somewhat Of shade on the
willy title nolder. in this way: Leonard
hnS had only two bouts in almost n
year. while tho Mariner has been fling
ing his dangerous dukes regularly. Last
January Leonard defended his crown by
knocking out Richie Mitchell in New
York. then 6vc months later Benny
handled Rocky Kansos hanlily in ten
round match ut Harrison. y. J.
In other words. when Leonard steps
into the ring at the Ice Palace it will
be his first appearance in five months.
and the same duration existed in his
previous punchfcst. While the Gotham
gloveman has been idling ou tho side.
lines. insofar as boxing Gors. Friedman
has been pointing punches at some one
at least onch a month.
las Met Stars
And included among Friedman OPP
ponents have been leading challcngcrs
for crack at the lightweight crown.
The Sailor lcnpcd into the limcglarc
when he was given newspaper decisions
over Johnny Dundee. who is no soft
thing for tho best of en-. not excepting
Leonard hiIsself. Our own Lew Tcnd-
Ter found himself in couple of tough
tusscs with Friedman at tho ball park
here. Ernie Rice came all the way
from England to be knocked OF by the
Chicagoan in New York. and SoIly has
had SCvcra other scraps Ia keep on edge
while Leonard has Lcrn out Of the ring.
Of course. the recent vacation OF
Leonard's : has been enforced owing 10
the injury suffered to his left hand while
training for his local match With
Tender. However. nobody, Other than
Billy Gibson and one or two othcrs,
knows the real condition of tho cham.
pion. Leonard is smart, clever and
shrcwd sort of chap. 1t Is hardly
likely that he would consent 70 meet 50
dangerous an opponent rs Sailor Fried.
man unless he absolutely was satisfied
with his condition.
Jack Weinsten. president Of the
philadelphia Benny Leonard Cheering
Club" is as close to the champ as any
over here. New York or anywhere.
Benny wouldn't agree to take on even
a sparring partner" says Jack. unless
he felt he was in good shape. Who
knows that Ben hasn't been doing lot
Of road work Of late? You know. Leon
ard is not ono of those publicity seek
ing fellows-thcre are lot of things he
does that the papers don't get.
Comes Here Weekly
For instance, continued Wcinstcin
with smile. Leonard has hrcn visit
ing Philadelphia more often than people
believe. Almost weekly Benny comes
over. If only to play round or two Of
golf al the Green Valley Country Club.
Only last week Leonard entertained
about 5000 people at II function of the
Shriners at the Metropolitan Opera
House and not a line about Benny being
there appeared in the papers.
"Don't let any one fool himself by
believing that Friedman will catch
Leonard naS?ing. because Benny will be
in shape to knock the Sailors block Of
when they meet.