The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-23
RY EDWARD w. CocHRANE

II
The greatest lightweight cham
pionship battle since Battling Nelson
and Joe Cans fought az rounds In
the dim heyday of Goldfield's boom
the contest that an eager, expect
ant public has been awaiting for
more than two years--will be fought
in the gigantic bowl Boyle's
SThirty Acres, Jersey City, Thursday
hight when Benny Leonard OF New
York, will attempt to defeat the
lightweight championship in l2-
round encounter with Lew Tender
OF Philadelphia.
Just about two years ago these
fighters and their managers trained
their guns on each other and have
fired constant volley OF press chal-
ter back and forth ever since, with
the natural result that there is more
interest in the outcome Of this choice
flstic morsel than that Of any battle
OF 1875 FOUNDERS that ever has been
staged in the world. Some idea of
the amount Of interest can be gained
from the fact that Tex Rickard ex-
poets to count a pile of cash totaling
about a half a million dollars when
hostilitles end.
Tender Keeps Profit.
Repeatedly promoters tried TO
match these men, but only once did
they come near a meeting. up to this
time. Philadelphia fistic entertain
ers closed match and the fighters
went far enough to post $4,000 for
felts guaranteeing weight and ap-
pearance and trained up to within
a week OF the contest when Leonard
claimed he was Ill and called the
fight off. Immediately Phil Glass
man, who handles Tender, declared
the champion was afraid OF his man
and held the $4,000 forfeit money.
There was considerable argument
over the forfeit and Leonard de-
elared he never would give Tender
chance at the title as long az he
kept the money. Tender kept It
and press agent chatter flew thick
and fast from the rival camps for
months Finally Rickard managed
to offer sufficient inducements TO get
the boys together again and the bout
this week is the result.
Leonard Has Edge.
II we were to depend entirely on
the dope furnished by fights in
which these men have fought the
same foes, It would be necessary to
hand the edge to the champion. be-
cause his record is much better than
that OF the challenger. But Tender
has a peculiar style, being a south
paw, thus extending his right foot
and hand instead OF his left when
in boxing posture. Claims are made
that this awkward style bothers
Leonard more than most fighters
and that because OF II Tender has a
splendid chance to annex the title.
Whether II really worries Leonard or
is just part OF the chatter handed out
tn fe, 1fr ,,.u he t~h ma
Tender look like probable winner,
will best be determined by the out
come of the contest itslf.
The very best line of reasoning IN
figuring the outcome OF the contest
may be furnished by the results of
the fights the two men have had
with Rocky Kansas and Richie
Mitchell
Kansas Beats Tender.
The Buffalo Italian. who goes
under the name of Kansas, went 10
rounds with Tender when the latter
was as good as he is now and won
The decision. That was decided
setback in the career of the Phila-
delphian. Leonard met Kansas
shortly after that and whipped him
easily, although he did not knock
MIN out July 4, last, Tender
Eknocked Kansas out In n bout In
michigan City. so completely out
eIassing Kansas that the bout was
very one sided. Kansas Ia as good
now as when he beat Tender.
hltchie Mitchell went 10 rounds
with Tender and gave a splendid
account OF himself, while Leonard
knocked the Milwaukee lightweight
out In six rounds.
" II isn't always possible TO be ac-
Lnrate In doping out the result OF a
may make a good showing against a
Hsht In this manner. One fighter
champion and be easily beaten by
some other man.
Champ Can Make Weight.
There was some talk few months
sgo that Leonard could not make
he lightweight limit-l35 pounds
ana be strong. He was overweight
or several OF his matches. But sys-
'emetlc training put him In perfect
condition and when he fought KAN
sas July 4 he was down TO the re-
Vulred poundage and as strong as he
.Le. was, as evidenced by the fact
ust unst he knocked out as tough a
.shtWelght as there Is In boxing,
leonard will make the weight for
ssnu!er and be at his best IL he
Is 10 win he cannot blame his
Spohuitlon. In the fight with the
s,Iiialo s,i nlo Italian, he appeared 10 have
s,,,ls ms old cunning, his punch, his
~ and ability to take punishment.
Iendler is without doubt the best
the challengers. The Philadel-
nlan hits hard and ia clever and
,N enough to give Leonard the bat
wt NE ot his career. His style may
,olIy Leonard for few rounds but
Qh Ne ~ 10 IN
ny tho third or fourth.
,tAere Is some talk that the Jersey
Ivy night, being a no-decision affair.
merely preliminary TO a. fight for
c,', I utle In New York, where de-
,aaVs are given. But II the fighters
MY are at daggers points. as their
agents claim. this may not be
n. leonard won the title in 1917 when