New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-25
Leonard Expects
To Win Inside of
Seven Rounds
Lightweight Champion De-
clares That He Was Never
Better Than Right Now

BUDD LAKE, N. j., July 24.-Benny
Leonard believes he is at the highest
form he ever will attain as a boxer
He rates Lew Tender as a lesser man
than Rocky Kansas, who was easy for
the champion a few weeks ago. He is
training as assiduously as he has done
for his important matches of the past.
That, he said to-day, is why he thinks
he will knock out the Philadelphian
before the seventh round of their
lightweight championship tilt in Jersey
City Thursday night.
Leonard to-day began tapering off
for the bout with Tender. When he
finished the grind the champion said
he would have a thorough work out to-
morrow, go through light exercises on
Wednesday and do a little roadwork
before climbing in his automobile
Thursday morning to motor to Jersey
City, weigh in and count the hours
until the moon goes up over the
stadium at Boyle's Thirty Acres.
"This year." said the champion after
his work out to-day, II feel that l am
at the height of my power-that l
never will be better man than l am
now: This is the best year of my life.
That is why have had so many bouts
this summer and why l am going to
have several more after disposing of
lose-not even that l was worried or
off form.
Wind Not Affected
The. most impressive feature of his
ring work in camp has been his condi-
ha Of irb&
ting, mauling rounds with three SPAR
ring partners, a fresh one every three
rounds. The heavy, struggling rcspira-
ton of the human punching bags" af-
fords the contrast that shows how
naturally Leonard breathes at the end
of the practice. Nine rounds doesn't
affect his wind but it brings perspira-
ton in streams.
He says he hasn't changed his style
for Tender, and his sparring proves it,.
He will attempt the same amazing fast
work, the dancing in and out, the quick
punch and getaway, the clever block
ing and snappy return. He labored hard
to-day on the torsos Of his sparring
mates.
So confident is the champion that he
has signed articles to meet Ever Ham
mer, who has been making a name for
himself in the Middle West, at Floyd
Fitzsimmonss arena at. Michigan City,
Ind, August s. Two weeks later he
will probably meet another man in
Pittsburgh.
"Yes, l am in better shape than
when I won the title from Welsh.
am stronger now than then. 1. am
matured. / have all kinds of ring ex-
perience. A specialist who examined
me yesterday said that I was in per-
feet condition-my heart, lungs and
temperature.
Made for Southpaws
"Now Tender is good boy and a
good boxer. He is young and am
bilious and he can hit-but not hard
enough. l am made for southpaws.
You know I violated all the canons Of
right lead-a right hand that works
like left jab. But that is why al
ways have had it easy with southpaws.
81 am not over confident and I real
ize I'll have to fight. I'm training
hard"
The champion went through his
whole repertoire and bundle Of tricks
to-day: First, four-mile run, then a
light breakfast few hours play with
his sister "Sid," eight three-minute
rounds with sparring partners, one
round of shadow boxing, calisthenics
and a long rub down and muscle
kneading from Nanny Seamon, the
trainer.
Afterward the champion took dip
in the lake, came home for lamb
stew dinner, back down to the lake to
paddle "Sid" about in q canoe, and
then trudged home to talk with his
mother and three brothers and wait
with the aid of pinochle deck and a