New Britain herald., 1921-01-15
MITCHELL KAYOED
 IN SIXTH BY BENNY
Bout Is Stopped to Prevent
 Further Punishment


 Garden last night the brilliant Bronx boxer successfully defended his title against Richie Mitchell of Milwau- keo in one Of the most furious ana spectacular lightweight bouts ever held here or anywhere.
 Mitchell went down in defeat after less than six complete rounds of gruelling battling, in which the Mil waukee lad was fioored six times and the champion himself once.
 The contest was stopped after tho sixth session had gone ono minute and ffty-five seconds by Referee further punishment The Milwau- keean, at the time. had been fioored throe times in the short space of time occupied by the sixth session. and was staggering back against the ropes in n blind futile effort to evade the crushing blows of the champion.
 The contest with its dramatic end Ing. furnished n ring spectacle long to bo remembered. It was fought for worthy cause, and the competition was in keeping with the occasion. The American Committee for Devas- tated France arranged and conduct cd the battle. which attracted d capacity crowd of people representing
 
 which was thrilling in all that word applies. It is estimated that the fund for Devastated France profted by about $1OO.00O.
 A Hard Test for Leonard.
 Never before since he attained the pionship. has Leonard been through such a severe test. For the first time since he gained ring prom thence. tho champion experienced the sensation of being fioorcd Leonard was sent to the canvas in a clean knockdown In the opening round, just when it appeared that Mitchell would be knocked out at the very start. The champion took a count Of nine before arising, and there after. until the finish. boxed with pronounced caution. carefully pick ing openings for his powerful rights and crushing lefts. under which Mitchell finally had to crumblc.
 Leonards destructive punching capabilities. his dazzling speed and clevcrncss. and the piston-like ra- pidity with which he fails with both fists, enabled him to emerge from the ring with his class leader ship still unimpaired. Tn Mitchell the champion encountered a lad who is unquestionably the greatest light weight in the country, outside the champions
 Mitchell. despite the whitening fire of blows he was forced to face in the opening session, fought a sur prisingly strong battle, and was at all times dangerous. He forced Leonard before him at times, and with almost reckless abandon scored with stiff left hooks or right jolts to the jaw, which made Leonard wob- bly, and the crowd apprehensive. Right up 10 the beginning of the sixth round the Milwaukee lad was I dangerous, and he shared the offen- | sive. as the crowd spurred him on in his thrilling efforts.
 X Great Spectacle All the Way. The first round will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed the ! bout. Indeed, tho fight. from begin ming to end, will live long in memory. Leonard started in his accustomed cautious manner. but soon threw off his mask of prccaution and like a ticer leapcd on his rival. A clean. deftIy delivered. powerful left hook to tho jaw before the battle was one minute old sent Mitchell crashing to the floor and threw the crowd into n frenzy. Referee Haukop tolled off eight before Mitchell arose. little groGgy.
 Leonard was at i.:s iival without Interruption with a shower Of rights and lefts to the face and head, 1ln- ally landing with a right back Of the car which again toppled Mitchell 1 This time the Milwaukee lad took count of nine in order to clear his | brain. The crowds yells drowned the count of the referee, whose arm in- dicated tho seconds as they were | toiled off.
 It is doubtful if Mitchell even heard the progress of the count, so great was the outbreak of shouting. After what seemed an eternity he finally regainod his feet, shaken and | weary, but still game. A shower of l rights and Iefts and the Milwaukeean ! again crumpled for another count of nine.
 Champion Is Knocked Down. | Leonard tired in his efforts to land | a finishing blow and boxed cautiously | after Mitchell got to his feet for the third time. The challenger recovered | quickly and with amazing sudden knnnu 1raped with a left hook % the
 tch sent Leonard down hard.
 accompanying knock