New Britain herald., 1922-02-11
LEONARD DEFEATS KANSAS ON POINTS
Superiority of Champion Is Clear y ShoWn.-Bie Crowd Sees Bout

New York, Feb. ll.--Benny Leon ard, worlds lightweight champion. successfully defended his title against Rocky Kansas sturdy Buffalo Italian, before n crowd which packed Madi- son Square Garden last night. In a hfteen-round battle which thrilled the gathering. the champion battered his way to victory in a manner which left no room for doubt as to his su- periority. When tho final bell changed Judges Patsy Haley and Tommy shortell, with Referee Billy Mcpart- land, rendered their verdict in favor Of the champion. When Announcer Joe Humphreys clarioned the deci- sion the crowd sent up yell which threatened to lift the roof.
 Leonard won the battle beyond question. Only a knockout could have made the victory more impressive, for, though Kansas gave him worthy battle over the greater part of the journey, Leonard's speed. cleverness, ring generaship and heavy and clean hitting, gave him clear margin on points.
 Leonard's margin Of victory was measured by nine rounds to five. The champion won the first, third. sixth. ninth, eleventh. twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth sessions. Kansas won the second, fourth. fifth, seventh and eighth. The tenth ses- sion ended with honors about even.
 The fact that Kansas lasted the -oha I,,ta lc ho brilliant Leonard furnished a disap- pointment to those ardent Leonard admirers who had wagered on a knockout victory. Kansas gave Leon- ard one of the hardest battles of the atter's career and worried the cham pion through the early fighting with his dangerous swings to the face and stomach.
 Leonard Shows Caution.
 Kansas forced the King of the 1855 oounders about the ring in a reck- cess, unrelenting assault in the early ,ounds. Up to the tenth, Leonard was extremely cautious. The cham pion took no chances against his rugged rival. There was marked difference in the Leonard who faced Kansas, and the champion who bat led Joe Welling and Richie Mitchell n the same ring in days past. The leonard snap and dash were replaced by wariness. There was no dancing n and out with the brilliant speed for which Leonard is noted.
 Leonard was agile enough in es- ,,, ,,; al A the champion made his rival miss There were occasions when Kansas almost spashed through the ropes when under the power of his own rush. as the cham pion stepped nimbly aside,
 Nearly Scores Knockout.
 In the closing five rounds, Leonard. with increasing confidence and disre- gard for his rivals punches, gave an exhibition which reminded those at he ringside Of the champion as he vas against Yelling and Mitchell
 Leonard came within an ace of 1 scoring q knockout victory in the eleventh round. The champion. step ping back out of range of backhand l ,low with the right. suddenly stepped n with a powerful left hook to the aw Kansas toppled over like a allng tree and remained down for | | count of nine. When the Italian | lrose, he was shaky and groggy. The | hampton coolly sought to batter | Town the defense Kansas instinctive | y threw up and hammered away with | ,oth hands in a furious assault to | he face and wind alternately.
 Kansas withstood the terrific rain ]