The Washington times., 1922-08-06


onstrated satisfactorily late to-
day in the Fitzsirnmons arena
during the ten-round fight be-
tween Hammer and the cham
pion.
Hammer put up an excellent
battle for the first five rounds
and seemed at almost any stage
to have a fair chance OF dong
something of decisive nature;
He kept tearing in, swinging all
sorts of punches at Leonard, who
constantly backed away and con-
tented himself with some straight
lefts to the face and an occas-
ional hard right cross to the ear.
Leonard evidently up to this stage
was taking it easy for the appar.
ent purpose of protecting his nau
eve. He entered the ring with that
optic well covered with plaster ana
for the first four rounds Hammer
aimed all his attack at that part, out
did not even begin to touch It. Soon
after that the plaster was Knocked
off Ben's eye and about the Same
time the champion seemed to awaken
TO the situation.
Begins In Sixth.
1t was in the sixth that he, really
began his first serious attack OF the
day. He kept popping Hammer
head with straight lefts and then
socking in that famous old right
cross of his. Despite the crouch IN
which Hammer went in the Chicago
man could not solve this style and
the punishment began to tell.
Several times during the last four
rounds Hammer wilted under the
steady and heavy fire. 1t looked as
IL il were onIu his extreme game
ness, perfection OF condition and
wonderful stamina that kept him on
his feet. In the seventh round
Leonard began to take a long lead
and closed that period so far in ad-
vance that it would have taken an
express train of Hammer'r to over
take him. The eighth and ninth
rounds saw Leonard far out in front
and punching his man with all free
dom and liberty that the. ordinary
usually takes with the bag. Ham
mer's puzzling defense was all that
saved him from a complete knockout,
although in the last two rounds. he
was in a position to receive the fatal
blow.
Leonard seemed to realize that he
was not in the best of condition and
during the entire ten rounds took
many occasions to save himself un-
necessary work. He fought ana
boxed like the master of old and came
through better than when he began.
Hammer had all the best of it in the
matter of condition, but the class
necessary to compete with a master
of the type of Leonard is lacking
in the Chicago boy. He is simply a
hard, earnest worker, overflowing
with willingness and possessed OF
good punch when he lands, but the
matter of landing the same blow on
Leonard was something that VIII
never be found in the Hammer make
ROUND ONE.
Little time was lost before the call
of time for round one.
Hammer started to tear right in
and led with lefts. Leonard was
cautious. Leonard landed a left to
head. Benny kept sticking his left TO
the face as Hammer advanced, and
both slowed up a bit to look it over.
Leonard used his straight left to the
face and they came to a long clinch.
Ben was serious as he caught left
hook to the nose. Hammer went low
with. left and stopped to apologize.
Immediately there was a fierce ex-
change of punches, both trying hard.
Hammer got his head under the chin
of Leonard and was fought off.
Leonard continued to use straight
lefts. At the bell they were slug
Eing. Leonafd's round. trs.
ROUND TWO. .a .
Hammer continued to force his ef-
forts in an attempt to get the plaster
off Leonard's eye, but he was slowed
up a bit with heavy lefts and rights
TO the chin. At long range Ben was
easily the better boxer and kept pop
ping the blonde with his left. Ham
mer got in one good left to the nose,
that made Leonard sniff, but the
champion got back with hard right
TO the head. There was some clinch-
ing and Hammer working In close,
tried to land a right to the chin.
Leonard speeded up and almost
unset Hammer with a right to the
Jaw. Leonard was taking his time
and making a good job Of it, Both
scored in close at the bell. Leonard's 8
round.
ROUND THREE.
Leonard varied a series of lefts
TO the nose with hard right to the
chin which did not affect Hammer
much. Hammer kept working in
close, but could not get TO the bad
eve. He rushed couple of times
but Leonard was too wary for him.
Hammer got in a left to the nose,
followed by two more. backing Leon.
ard to the ropes. Both fighting
hard. Leonard missed a heavy right
TO the heart. Hammer sent Leonard's
head back with a left. but caught
a right in return.
They worked hard In clinch and
n tiny streak of blood showed under
Ben's|b bad eye. Ever kept forcing
solidly. Leonard was content TO
stand off. II was Leonard's round.
ROUND FOUR.
There was hard exchange Of
lefts, both suffered. Ever continued
forcing with Ben backing away.
Leonard fought viciously, and IN a