Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-03-11

.|
h Editor.
New York, Mar. II, - Benny
Y eonard, the ideal champion !
tI AS champions go, this is true oi
eonard in a strict sense. There
I'VE been few champions OF the
st decade who have defended
1eir titles as often as Benny, and
wer, still, who have so consist
itly proven their claims to class
he new year was but two weeks
!. "a when Leonard inaugurated his
+. f21 campaign at Madison Square
lalrden by knocking out Richie
RWtchell, one Of his foremost ri
Ills, in six stirring rounds. What
battle that was ! And what a
lhumph for Leonard !
=, early as important as his victory
\ Aer Mitchell, from public stand
fNint, was the fact that Leonard
lfighed in at 134 pounds for the
u 4lWaukean, proving to the world
at he is still legitimate light
Hight. And he also proved that
M can take a punch and come
rk for more.
ltLeonard's erstwhile critics are
ent now. Those who panned
I'm, contending that he should
sNp out of the lightweight class
no the welter division have no
+ ftne-back, for Leonard stands su-
)'lhme. During the present win
the Bronx boy established a
skord under the new Walker box
ts law in New York. He defend
his title in three bouts, and in
hlkh of the three he was credited
|'sNh q Knockout victory. His OPP
4H'Aents were Joe yelling, Har-
l'h Eddie Kelly and Richie Nit
'4ell.
sf Bring 'Em On.
NJ hrAnd now" Leonard says, bring
H the rest of them. l will meet
boxer who is deserving of a
h' 'Ance at the lightweight title.
ENI have been boxing for eight
Grs and since l became cham
n I've been kept fairly busy.
1N hen l won the title l made up
iA mind to give every formidable
z man a chance. l have tried to
lF so. There is one exception -
" Tender.
TIT has been no fault of mine
at4t Tender and / have not met.
\ has been telling the world for
eral years that he wanted to
4 ct me. But when it came down
F, brass tacks - discussion of
4 lights, forfeits, ETC. he wasn't
( Ire. will meet Tender any
e he agrees to make the light
light limit and post substantial
feit. And this goes for any Of
Others"
leonard hopes and expects to
10 busy year. He would like
finish cleaning up the light
Tight division - a task that he
hb very well underway - before
BE- rolls around. And then2
haps he will retire. He is the
albprietor of a thriving automo-
y accessory business in New
rk and he plans to go on the
ge as we'll IL he succeeds in
posing OF all challengers during
ft present year he may step down
'1l out, though il is known that
has an ambition to become
'Hhble champion and is thinking
I'venturing into the welterweight
ision in search of honors.
Berth Seems Safe.
rhe outlook for Leonard's hold
tightly 10 the lightweight crown
ling the year is one-sided in
favor. The aspirants TO the
ampionship he holds are nu-
1.ous enough, but as compared
Leonard in his present superb
m and potency as the boss of
class they apparently stand
le chance OF dethroning him.
of the leading lightweight con-
ders are in the United States !
identally, aud as Tender is the
y one he has not met and de-
ted, II appears that a meeting
ween these two will be the big I
Itt event of the year in the 1885,
lnd division.
leonard has repeatedly beaten
hnny Dundee. both in long and
brit bouts. and has proved his /
seriority over the scotch Wop"
the satisfaction of the boxing |
rs. Dundee, by the way, is
lrlng the end Of his career as
active fighter.
Long Lisa OF KayOs.
Charley White. Richie Mitchell.
hmy Duffy, Mel Coogan, Joe (
Filing, Leo Johnson, Eddie Dor
Vic Moran, Sailor Kirk, Jack |
Dzzo, Red Herring. Johnny Nell
and several other boxers OF
Ser note have fallen before Leo !
"a via the kaye route since he
ame champion. In addition, he
d and etopped Johnny Kilbane.
A. featherweight kin. in three &
inds, and knocked out Willie /
chic. who attempted a come
n, ia eight rounds. He has
leht both Jack Britton and Ted
ld) lewis. the worlds leading
lterwelshtA and made a stand
showing against both Of them J