The Washington times., 1922-07-26

Il hope you boys continue to boost
Tenders stock" he said at his Budd
Lake camp, for that will make the
gate a big one. However, l want to
say right here that ! consider this
one OF the softest bouts l ever signed
for. can't see Tender at all. He
can't box with me, and can hit
with him. Those stories about him
developing a crushing left hand make
me laugh. I've fought those hard
sockers before. He could open up
with Bobby Barrett, who is ring
novice, and Johnny Dundee, who is
a notoriously light hitter. Just let
him come at me wide open and watch
what happens"
Leonard is not given to idle boast
ing. hence his remarks on Tender
must be taken as an indication Of
perfect confidence in his own powers.
'One reason am so sure
Tender will not stay the limit
with me-" says Benny, SIS that i
am approaching this fight I'm the
best physical and mental con.
dition ] have enjoyed Tor three
years. Training out here in the
Vpoh Hds UfouBh "ohue'" 'O
suits.
Tenders crowd l notice, are
figuring on Lew to beat the
Leonard who fought Jack Britton
a few weeks ago. There is no COM
psrison between my form then and
now. Before met Britton l
hadn't had a fight in three months.
! trained in a gymnasium and rain
kept me off the road. I did every.
thing bat.ly when got into the
ring with Britton.
That fight and the one with
Kansas put, me on edge. The few
New Workers. who saw the bort
ut Michigan City marvelled at my
Improvement. have kept ON i'm.
proving think you will admit
that my boxing and footwork are
good against my sparring partners
here. No, Tender will not meet
the Leonard that lost to Britton."
Tenders actions and words be.
speak confidence suppressed. Lefty
Lew has not replied publicly to
Leonard's scornful estimate Of his
prowess. Privately, he has ex'
pressed bitter resentment. lew is
not much OF a talker on any sub
tect. He maintains. however, that
the impending combat is not prey
ing on his mind.
THE best man will win" is what
he tells the interviewers who are
flocking to his camp at Delanco, N. j.
A majority of the Philadelphia
boxing experts, who have been oh.
serving Tender closely this last
10 IHGA
fight will 90 the limit or will end
with a claim Of foul by Leonard.
They base this belief OF the prob
ability Of Tender fighting carefully
10 avoid Leonard's right hand
punches.
Tender, according to the form he
has shown u.s." writes Jimmy GantZ,
n Quaker City expert, 'and the lack
Of condition Leonard has been in.
cIIned to exhibit. should beat the
champion on points. A knockout is
not expected, but u there is one, we
expect Tender to score 1t. Leonard
is the champion and cannot lose the
title in a decisionless bout no matter
how far Lew outpoints him. He will
be inclined to box carefully to avoid
a knockout, which is Tenders one
chance to kick Benny out from under
his crown"
Gantz goes on to show how easily
Tender could have finished Leonard
II he had been in the ring against
Benny the night he clashed with Br.t.
ton. However, nobody thinks Leon.
ard will be that far off his real form
tomorrow nisht.
Charley White, of Chicago. is the
first prominent challenger to arrive
here from a distant point. White
came in yesterday from Chicago. He
already has posted $500 with the
New York State boxing commission
as evidence Of his sincere desire "a
engage the winner Of the big bout.
Another Westerner who has
never been seen In action here. Is