The Washington times., 1924-05-20


the nose-denting business.
"You can take it from me-" re-
marked Gibson, ''that Leonard viii
not be seen in the ring more than
three more times at the most, likely
only twice. Benny will box once
probably late in the summer, in
defense Of the lightweight title. in
accordance with the promise he has
made to the boxing commission to
face any man that body may name.
His other bouts probably will be
In the nature of tune-up bouts
Unless Mickey Walker comes down
Off his high horse there will be no
fight between him and Leonard
this summer. Walker wants to
grab about three times as much for
q bout with Benny as Benny would
receive, according to the PROPOSE
tons put to us.
1.-THE way we look at 1t, Leonard
10 the big card, the man who will
put the money in the house for this
proposed scrap with Walker He
must get as much as Mickey or
there will be no fight. Benny must
get at least $4,000.
GibsOn's remarks about Leonard
not caring particularly about get.
ting q Whack at Walker and the
latter's Welterweight title must be
taken with several grains Of so.
dunn chloride. The writer still
believes this match will be ar
ranged as q midsummer attrac-
ton at BOyle's Thirty Acres.
Undoubtedly, despite all the asser.
lions to the contrary, Leonard
would be tickled stiff IL he could
manage to annex the welterweight
title before hanging up his gloves,
and thus be enabled to retire as
double" champion. On the other
hand, there is a possibility that the
young and vigorous Walker might
hand Sir Benjamin a stiff lacing,
thus dimming the luster Of the
lightweight champions career right
on the eve Of its closing.
There Is no particular reason
why Leonard should continue in the
game after this season." said Gibson
In discussing the champions plans
to retire. "He has accumulated a
= fortune and has invested his money
wisely, so that he never will have
cause to worry about the good
things Of life.
ALSO he has made good as IN ac-
tor, both on the stage and in the
movie studies, and there is no de.
nying that he is greatly enamored
of his thespian activities. Leonard
believes-and I agree with him
that he will command big money
as an actor for many years. And
this life does not entail the rcors
ant vexations of boxing. Just ,wo
or three more bouts and he'll be
done with the ring forever"
Gibson is undeniabIy right when
he says that Benny cares more
for acting than fighting. Leon.
ara has had the stage bug for
years, and now that be has had
. successful nationwide tOu" in
vaudeville he likes the life i tier
than ever. Benny insists that he
mas won success as an actor sole
~ on MS merits as an actor. and
not because he is lightweight
champion. Be that as il NAV. If
ne does retire he will find IL helm.
1ui 10 say that he retired after
Delng unbeaten as champion.
AeOndru mas been boxing for q
long time. having begun his RING
career in 1912 at the age of sixtaen'
He has reigned over the lioht.
weights since, he knocked out Freddv
Welsh in 1917. So far he has
escaped any permanent dtsfigure.
ments, and now that he has decided
to be an actor first and foremost
he is eager to muster out of rine
service without any visible marks
or his former mode of earning a
living. q
Leonard has had trouble making
the lightweight limit for some time
and as the days pass he is going To
lind 1t more and more difficult ia
work himself down to 1876 pounds.
) In this connection there are many
who insist that neither Leonard nor
Tender were at the lightweight
limit for their battle last July, cit.
ing the famous secret public
weighing.in ceremonies" as evi.
dence. -
I Leonard says he is going to quit
and all indications are that he is
not spoofing.