1917-05-28 Benny Leonard W-TKO9 Freddie Welsh [Manhattan Sporting Club, New York, NY, USA]

1917-05-29 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page 9)

BENNY LEONARD, NEW CHAMPION, RESTORES OLD WEIGHT LIMIT
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Will Defend Title Monday Night Against Joe Welsh and Then Plans to Enlist in Army--May Meet Johnny Kilbane on July 4.
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Up in Harlem last night a little mother sat patiently awaiting a telephone call from her son, a message that would bring joy or sorrow to the family circle. At last, toward the witching hour of midnight, the 'phone bell rang and Benny Leonard, new lightweight champion of the world, flashed to his folks the magic words:

"I knocked Welsh out in the ninth round."

Was there a celebration at the Leonard domicile? The answer is yes, and the followers of the fortunes of Benny were still going strong and keeping the neighborhood awake when many were rushing to catch the 6 o'clock subway train to work this morning.

And the neighbors who were kept awake did not begrudge their sleep. They had followed the career of Benny Leonard since Billy Gibson first took the lad under his wing several years ago. Benny never has failed, whether he was boxing in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland or the Far West, to immediately notify the home folks of the result of his battles. Last night was no exception, and all the neighbors who were not at the ringside waited up for the news. The new champion was no slacker; he fought all comers and was not afraid to tell the truth when he met defeat. Consequently the telephone company profited quite extensively when Leonard was a contender.

Benny Leonard, in private life, is Benjamin Leiner. He is a son of George Leiner and is a native born New Yorker, being therefore the first champion to come from the big town. Benny was born in Manhattan on April 7, 1896, and celebrated his majority only last month. He began his real boxing career when Billy Gibson saw him in a preliminary bout at an obscure club. The "Mayor of the Bronx" immediately saw the possibilities in Leonard and he secured the consent of his parents to manage the lad, who was then only 16 years old.

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Billy Gibson, a Prophet.

Shortly after this, Gibson came to a group of newspaper sporting writers one afternoon and asked them to take a trip to the St. Nicholas Rink to see the next American who would hold the championship of the world. The boys thought Billy was too enthusiastic, but as Bill always had the reputation of being a good fellow, some decided to oblige him. What they saw impressed several, and while it was conceded that Leonard had a lot of faults, he pleased the experts with his agility and judgment of distance. It was true he could not hit very hard, but a lad of sixteen has not gained his full strength, and Billy told them to wait.

Gradually Leonard waded through the preliminary boys and invariably he was returned the winner of the short bouts. He never asked any odds; any match with the weights close enough suited him. All of a sudden it began to dawn on the fight promoters that Leonard was a real fighter. As he grew older and stronger he developed a punch, and being a lad who always lived clean, he had little to worry him. But the fight to the top of the ladder was not all peaches and cream. Benny had to take his lickings. Twice he was carried to his corner after the fatal ten seconds had been counted over him, and he lost "newspaper" decisions many times. But never discouraged by reverses, Benny always had in mind the ambition of his life, and that was to see his name billed as the lightweight champion of the world. A defeat merely stung him to greater efforts, for he was a student of the boxing game and would go over the battle he lost and find out where he made his mistakes.

Became Prominent in 1915.

In 1915 Leonard jumped into prominence when he knocked out Tommy Houck. Tommy was one of the best lightweight boys fighting. That year Benny had four knockouts to his credit, the victims being Jack Sheppard, Al Schumacher, Gene Moriarty and Joe Mandot. The last named win gave Benny a real reputation, and thereafter Billy Gibson decided that he meet only the topnotchers.

Benny at once made good. He started the 1916 season on January 1 by putting Joe Welsh away in five rounds in a Philadelphia ring. Five weeks later in Boston he met Phil Bloom and Phil took the count in eight rounds. Jimmy Murphy was the next victim of the rapidly developing right of the Harlem boxer, and then followed Sam Robideau, Shamus O'Brien, Eddie Andrews, Frankie Conifrey, Ever Hammer and Tommy Thorpe. In the intervals between these knockout victories, Leonard was busily engaged in no decision bouts in New York.

His meeting with Welsh last night was the third time he had faced the erstwhile titleholder, and the decisions were fifty-fifty up to the ninth round of the battle with the Pontypridd lad. Leonard also has met Johnny Dundee, who is a contender for the honors that rests on the Leonard brow, although Johnny Kilbane will probably be Benny's next opponent for the title. Leonard meets Joe Welsh in Philadelphia next Monday night.

Gives Credit to Manager.

Leonard said last night, after the fight, that he had no plans for the future. He declared that Billy Gibson deserved all the credit for his success. "Whatever Billy says goes," said Benny before leaving the Manhattan A. C. for his home, at 101 West 115th street, where his father and mother were awaiting his arrival. And father and mother, brothers and sisters were not the only ones to greet Benny. Neighbors came from blocks around and--for the sporting tickers had flashed the news even before Leonard's 'phone message reached the home district--several hundred persons were on hand when Leonard arrived.

Benny was carried on the shoulders of his admirers into the house, and after greeting his father and mother he had to recount the story of the fight as well as he could. Leonard is not much in the Bill Bryan line, as he would rather fight than talk, but he tried his best to give the home talent who did not have the $15 to pay to see him in the ring a good version of the victory.

"I was confident," said Benny, "when I entered the ring, and after the first two rounds I knew I had the title within my grasp. It was in the sixth round that I was certain. In this session I put a right swing to Welsh's wind and felt him crumble up under the force of the blow. "That was a good one," I remarked, half under my breath, and from that time on I played for the body.

Wasn't Rattled in Ninth.

"Welsh surprised me by his rally in the seventh and eighth rounds, but it was my opinion that his efforts were those of a man who was desperate, and I bided my time. In the ninth round I again turned loose that half-uppercut to the wind. This time Welsh wobbled visibly and I saw my chance. Some of the critics remarked that I immediately became excited and, losing my head, rained in punches at all angles, knowing I had the title in my grasp. Such was not the case. I was fighting at top speed, and that may have given the impression that I was anxious, but, believe me, I was measuring my blows to the best of my ability, and had a clear head at all times.

"If anything, I was taking even greater pains, for I knew what a perfect defense my opponent had. The blow that I tried for the jaw, and the one that sent Welsh down for the first time was perfectly timed, but by instinct Freddie ducked and it caught him on the temple. He reeled to the ropes and went down on one knee. When he pulled himself up I saw by the look in his eyes that he was practically out, and as I stood over him raining rights to his unprotected jaw I was in hopes that the referee or the seconds of the then champion would stop the bout. I do not like to punish a game man, and if there ever was a game boxer his name is Freddie Welsh.

"Yes, I was a little dazed when they told me I was the champion, for in the heat of battle I was thinking only of putting Welsh away and I did not realize what I had accomplished until I nearly lost both arms trying to shake hands with about 300 persons at the same time.

"Billy Gibson deserves a lot of credit for the victory. For the last two weeks, Billy, Jimmy Lee and myself have been going over the plan of the fight and I obeyed orders to the letter."

Gibson corroborated this later at a little celebration held for his friends.

Plans to Enlist.

Leonard will fight next Monday night in Philadelphia, where he meets Joe Welsh, one of the best lightweights in the Quaker City. A big delegation of the admirers of the new champion will make the journey, for Leonard has won his last five fights by knockout and when such a record includes the winning of a world's title, the boys can afford to spread a little. After this battle it is the intention of Leonard to enlist in the army. Matt Henkel of Cleveland was a spectator at the ringside and he immediately made Billy Gibson an offer for a match with Johnny Kilbane, at Canton, O., for July 4. Gibson will consider the terms today. Gibson said last night that he would re-establish the lightweight limit at 133 pounds, as that is the weight recognized in this country.

Welsh at His Farm.

Freddie Welsh was recovering at his farm at Summit, N. J., this morning, but he had nothing to say. Recently, in an interview with a Brooklyn Eagle representative, Freddie gave his views as to how a champion should defend his title. It was Welsh's idea that the ten-round bouts he was engaged in were only exhibitions; that he was not getting the champion's share of the purse for his efforts, and that it was only necessary for him to defend himself against the attack of his opponent, and not hurt his hands trying for knockouts when the bouts were no-decision affairs. When it is considered that Welsh paid part of $27,500 for the privilege to fighting Willie Ritchie in London, and winning the title, perhaps he was right. Ritchie was to get the money, win, lose or draw, and Welsh thought a champion was always entitled to a big purse if he was to place his title in jeopardy in a ring where a referee would give a decision. This view never made the Welshman popular in New York, and while there was nothing in the rules against the covering-up tactics he used, it was not real battling according to the fans.

Near a Riot When Benny Won.

The clean-cut win of Leonard came rather unexpectedly, and when the crowd realized that a New Yorker had won the world's championship, Bedlam broke loose. The rush to the ringside broke down the railings, chairs and press box, and the special police were powerless to check the avalanche of human beings tearing toward the ring. Hats were crushed, coats lost or torn, and even heads bumped in an endeavor to congratulate Leonard.

At that the crowd was slow to perceive what had happened. Welsh had been going along in his usual style, covering up and taking all of Leonard's punches on his gloves or arms, when Benny let go with the right to the body. Weakened from previous punches to the mid-section, Welsh virtually collapsed, and thus was a new champion made.

Pollok Rejects the Verdict.

There was a lot of friends of Welsh, including Harry Pollok, his manager, who raised a howl because Referee Kid McPartland did not count ten over Welsh. It was Pollok's and Welsh's claim that he had not been counted out, and that therefore he still retained his title. But it was all wrong, for when Welsh was released from the ropes he reeled across the ring like a drunken man, then fell through the ropes into the press box. He had to be carried to his corner, and it was fully a minute before he regained his senses. The referee might have counted two hundred and Welsh could not have responded. Leonard is the real lightweight champion, though the question may be debated for many weeks by letters from the Welsh camp. And Benny and Billy Gibson deserve the honors that it took five years of real work to win.

1916-03-31 Benny Leonard ND10 Freddie Welsh [Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA]

1916-04-01 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 14)

Leonard Whips Welsh in Whirlwind Battle
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All But Knocks Out the World's Champion Lightweight.
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TITLE HOLDER HAS HARD NIGHT'S WORK
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Crowd Equal in Size to Moran-Willard Gathering Sees the Contest.
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By W. O. M'GEEHAN.

Bennie Leonard, Harlem's favorite son, knocked everything but the lightweight title out of Freddie Welsh at Madison Square Garden last night. Compared to Leonard, the man from across the sea looked like a novice. The little Harlem Hebrew outfought and outboxed the champion in every round. And Welsh tried, too--tried as he has not tried for years.

It was probably the best fight that Welsh has put up in a long while. He wanted to "show Leonard up," but instead he was shown up himself, as a champion about to pass.

Leonard had the fire of youth, in addition to a knowledge of boxing more brilliant than that of any lightweight since Gans. Ring generalship was the only thing that saved Welsh from a knockout and the loss of his title.

The proof that Welsh tried was a cut over Leonard's eye, the first visible injury he has received in over 250 fights. In return Leonard started the blood from Welsh's nose in the fifth, and in the eighth he cut a gash over the champion's eye.

It was one of the fastest and most spectacular battles ever seen at the Garden, and decidedly the cleverest. Welsh put up a game and aggressive fight. If he had battled that way before last night he would have been the most popular of the lightweights. In addition, the veteran used every trick of blocking and holding, but the clear-eyed Jewish boy found openings, and landed with precision.

It was Welsh, the old fox, the veteran, who missed. When the champion tried to mix it Leonard ducked and had him looking like a novice. The crowd was half delirious as the pair flashed around the ring like a couple of lithe young panthers. Not since the days of the very great ones has there been such a battle.

When he found himself outpointed in the first few rounds Welsh grinned sarcastically; but later his mouth dropped with worry. Once or twice he showed flashes of real anger, but Leonard subdued him with tantalizing jabs and right uppercuts.

Toward the end Welsh's face was gray with anxiety. In the seventh round the champion was visibly in a bad way. Leonard shot a left to the body and Welsh bent over. His face twitched with pain.

The champion's worry increased when he saw that the younger man was watching for a chance to land the knockout. Leonard had ceased to jab. He flitted about peering through his narrowed eyes for the chance to send home the blow that would bring him the championship.

It was then that experience came to Welsh's aid. He covered up well. He built for his body a defence like that of the turtle, making a shell of his arms.

In the eighth round Welsh took a desperate chance and swung to the head with his left. The blow should have dazed the Jewish lad, but it did not.

Welsh's face had become tragic. It was the one fight he wanted to win, and he had no chance. The yells of the crowd told him that the "king of lightweights" was very dead in popular favor. They also hailed Leonard as the king to be.

If the fight had gone longer, or if there had been a decision, Welsh certainly would have lost his title. And he would have lost it to a better man than he has ever been.

For this Harlem Jewish boy has everything--the knowledge of boxing, the punch and the courage. Also, and most important, he has the fire and enthusiasm of the comer.

In the first preliminary Terry Edwards resigned his position as antagonist to George Brown in the third round. Brown jabbed Edwards into a state of bewilderment with his left. In the second bout Joe Smith outpointed the Corona Kid, a pocket edition of Jim Flynn. Larry Murtha, a little black Irishman with a fine left hand, outpointed Charlie Treybull, of Chicago, in four rounds.

In the semi-final event Johnnie Drummie, the Jersey Humming Bird, outpointed Kid Boonton in six rounds. Drummie was seconded by Joe Shugrue, who was clad in a wallpaper shirt that made even Billy Roche's official coat-of-mail look subdued.

The crowd began to gather early and filled all but the far section of the first balcony. Numerically it was equal to the crowd that saw the Willard-Moran bout.

Leonard entered the ring first, attended by Billy Gibson, his manager, and his fighting brother, Charlie. Harlem's favorite son wore a snow-white sweater and a smile of serene confidence.

There was a little delay and the crowd began to kick up the dirt of the Garden. The floor had been removed and the air was full of dry dust. The crowd became impatient as Welsh lingered in his dressing room, resting and picking up weight. It always was part of Welsh's ring strategy to take his time coming into the ring.

The Welsh procession finally entered the ring late. The great tangoist and vegetarian was closely followed by 'Andsome 'Arry Pollok. The band struck up "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." Welsh looked very fit. He had worked for this bout. The weights were announced as Welsh 136½ and Leonard 132. Bennie got the louder cheer and Freddie looked a bit peeved. A moment later the fun began.


1916-04-01 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 8)

LEONARD GIVES WELSH BEATING OF HIS CAREER
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"Freddie" Welsh's world's championship lightweight title had everything but wings attached to it last night in Madison Square Garden, and in all probability had it not been for "Benny" Leonard's right hand giving way through injury as the result of the tremendous cannonading he shot the Englishman's way the crown would be resting on the brow of the sensational Harlem lightweight, if such a thing were possible.

In some quarters it is argued that Welsh cannot lose his title when he fights at a poundage over the lightweight limit, but it is a certainty that if he will get to Leonard's weight, or even that of the scale adopted by the State Athletic Commission, the champion would not know whether he was coming or going at the end of ten rounds.

As it was, with Leonard giving away four and a half pounds, he scaled 132, and administered quite the tidiest beating to the title holder that worthy probably ever received. Leonard was the winner all the way, garnering the honors in the first eight rounds and the tenth, with the ninth an even affair, which constituted Welsh's best showing.

Ably assisted by the referee, Welsh was enabled to "save up" times out of number with this phase of the proceedings and Leonard's injury the factors which warranted him in staying the journey.

In the majority of his bouts hereabouts Welsh's long suit has been his ability to outbox, if not outfight, his opponents, and this, coupled with his ring generalship and covering up tactics, has abled him in keeping his death grip on the title. Not so last night, however. Then he met a man who clearly outboxed, outfeinted and outhit him, with the manner of his superiority so pronounced in every department of the game except hanging on, that it appeared as though Welsh had parted with all of his boasted cleverness, hitting ability and stamina in the ring the night he fought "Frankie" Whitney.

It was at that bout that Leonard got his first peep at Welsh, and that he must have "got an eye full" of the right method to attend to a champion was shown when he met him in the ring, as if there was anything the Harlemite didn't do to his opponent, it was only his failure to give him his quietus.

Leonard had all the appearance of being the champion and Welsh the veriest tyro. The Harlemite was the stake horse of the pair, with Welsh an also ran. From the fifth round on Leonard showed by his impatience to be up and doing at the bell announcing the continuance of hostilities that he was like a sprinter leaving his mark, so speedily did he bound across the ring almost to Welsh's corner to meet him.

While he won several of the sessions by the proverbial mile, it was in the seventh that he nearly caused the portcullis to be dropped by the champion. Leonard parted with everything he had in stock and had his man woozy from his continued attack. Welsh never lost his head, however, and although beaten almost to a whisper he managed to dodge out of trouble and weather the storm.

Throughout most of the battle Leonard found his man a mark for left jabs which the champion's science was unable to throw off. With these in many instances followed up with nicely timed rights to the head or body he had Welsh tied up in knots and in many cases unable to do anything but take everything that came his way.


1916-04-01 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 10)

LEONARD DEFEATS WELSH WITH EASE
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Vim and Aggressiveness of Harlem Lightweight Too Much for the Champion.

Benny Leonard, the aggressive little Harlem boxer, took his place in the front rank of the world's lightweights at Madison Square Garden last night when he defeated Freddie Welsh of England, the title holder, in a rattling fast ten-round bout which kept the big, crowded arena in an uproar from start to finish. Leonard was the aggressor all the way, and the boxing skill of the phantom-like Briton was overshadowed by the persistent, ready-punching power of the younger boy.

The generalship and experience of the champion saved him from bad punishment, for many of Leonard's short-choppy jolts were cleverly blocked when they were directed to the point of Welsh's jaw. It was a case of a youth charged with fight from his toes to his head pitted against a veteran ring master whose long sojourn in the ring is counting against him--for the old-time skill of Welsh is plainly on the wane.

Leonard carried the fight to the champion from the first round, and there was no time during the bout when Welsh was able to measure up to the aggressive fistic campaign which Leonard waged against him.

There were more than 9,000 men and women in the Garden last night, and they showed more enthusiasm in one round than was demonstrated during the whole ten rounds of the Willard-Moran engagement. It was the largest gathering that has witnessed a lightweight bout here since the Frawley law went into effect. The house was with Leonard, although at times the most partial Leonard enthusiast could not help cheering the masterly defense of the agile, foxy Welsh.

In the crowd were many of New York's best known citizens, and a large number of women occupied seats in the arena boxes. It was a good bout to watch, as it teemed with action all the time, and there was hardly a moment when young Leonard was not carrying the fray to the champion, trying to make him mix it up, when it was plain that Welsh had no such desire.

For a boxer so new to the game, Leonard's showing was remarkable. He was as cool as an old-timer, and not once did he lose his head or get wild. His smashing right-hand punch, on which he relied to batter down the champion, did not get in its most effective work, as the defense of Welsh was so good that the power behind the blow was usually smothered.

When the bout was over Welsh's face showed plainly that the youthful Harlem boxer's blows had hurt. The champion's left eye was cut and his nose was swollen and bleeding. While Welsh used every trick in the game to protect himself from Leonard's fast attack, the shower of blows came so fast at times that his defense was battered down and he had to take a punching in spite of all his cleverness.

Leonard was the first to appear in the ring, and he got a reception which made the big amphitheater resound. Welsh kept him waiting for several minutes, but if the champion imagined that Leonard would get nervous he was much mistaken, as the latter was the cooler of the two men when the gong started the first round.

As quick as a flash Leonard put three light jabs on Welsh's face and surprised him. Welsh kept backing away and covered himself effectively, but Benny got in an occasional smash which set the crowd cheering. When the first round was over and it was seen that Benny had a safe margin the hosts from Harlem stood on their chairs and threw their hats into the air in glee.

In the third round just before the bell Welsh endeavored to force the boxing and drove Leonard to the ropes. Leonard fought his way out and drove the champion back into the centre of the ring under a shower of punches.

In the fourth round, when Welsh began to dance out of the way, he found out that Leonard could step even faster. Leading with his left to the face, Leonard followed up this lead with an occasional right hand jolt to the face which made the champion blink. In this session Leonard planted one right to Welsh's jaw which rocked his head and his smile became somewhat forced. Many of Benny's blows bounced off Welsh's gloves, but although the champion was effective at blocking, he failed throughout to take the upper hand and carry the fighting to Leonard.

In the fifth a quick left stab flattened itself on Freddie's generously proportioned nose and drew first blood. Leonard's hands worked in and out with great rapidity, and Welsh found it a hopeless task to try to stop all the blows. In the later rounds of the bout, Welsh began to practice the best of his ring tricks, but he found himself tired and made little impression on the energetic youth from Harlem.

The sixth round found Welsh tired, and the youth and stamina of Leonard began to take effect. Welsh, with head down, came at Leonard with a rush, but a stiff uppercut brought the English boxer's head back with a jerk. Welsh didn't bore in head first after that.

After the seventh round Welsh often ran into clinches and covered up to protect himself. At infighting Benny ripped uppercuts through Welsh's guard and landed on his body and face frequently. It was only occasionally that Welsh's quick left jab, which in the past has worked like a piston against the faces of his opponents, landed on Benny's face. When Welsh was trying to cover up in the eighth round Leonard rushed at him and sent his head back with rights and lefts which made the champion think that Leonard had called several extra mitts into action.

A smashing glancing left hook to the face opened a cut under Welsh's left eye in the ninth, while the only mark on Leonard was a slight scratch at the side of his left eye. The last two rounds showed Leonard's decided advantage, for he ripped his blows against the champion's body and head with great apparent ease. It was Leonard's bout from bell to bell.


1916-04-01 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 10)

Benny Leonard Outpoints Freddie Welsh in Fast Bout at Garden
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WELSH'S CUNNING IS WHAT SAVES HIM IN LEONARD BOUT
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Lightweight Champion Outpointed in Nearly Every Round of Garden Bout.
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BENNY HAS FREDDIE GOING FAST IN SEVENTH
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Benny Leonard is not yet lightweight champion, but he came near winning the title last night at Madison Square Garden. He outpointed Freddie Welsh, the Englishman who defeated Willie Ritchie for the world's honors of this particular class.

It was a thrilling ten round battle, one of the best engagements of this or any season, and Welsh has no reason to feel disgraced at his showing. He met a man cool, crafty and clever. The Britisher fought every minute of the way, but his stiffening sinews had to give way to the vigor and dash of youth. But for the cool and calculating cunning of the veteran, Leonard would have grasped the title without further ado. Several times Benny had Sir Frederick in distress, well spent of the speed and fury. But always on such occasions the Englishman called into play his great generalship, which he had learned in the school of tough experience.

What the result would have been had there been no limit to the length of the encounter is a matter open to speculation. Welsh was far from spent at the final bell. In the last round he steamed up to the highest pitch, trying for one redeeming punch, and he did hit Leonard hard, too. But of the two Leonard was the fresher.

Experts who saw the bout said Leonard will be the next lightweight champion if nothing happens to him. They added that last night's fight should prove an experience almost as valuable as all his other 250 odd ring battles combined.

Welsh called into play every trick and strategy of his fertile brain. At close quarters, especially, he took advantage of the youth's innocence. He elbowed, shouldered and butted Benny, but always so cunningly that the referee didn't catch him at it.

Welsh was a dancing master, but he fought as courageously as the challenger. He was a marvel at defence, but the phenomenal speed of Leonard broke down this defence. Benny shifted about and opened his batteries from so many directions that Freddie soon decided to make a give and take affair of it.

It was a hammer and tongs affair during the early rounds. But from the third on Leonard began to draw away, first a shade at a time and then in spurts until in the seventh Welsh's only hope of victory lay in a knockout.

Until the seventh Welsh's blocking was a thing of beauty. Then the local lad rushed in and ripped Freddie's body with a dozen well placed lefts and rights and had the champion leg weary and blown when the gong clanged.

Rally after rally marked the second round, with little damage to either party. Starting the third, Welsh rocked Benny with a wicked right. He repeated the blow a few seconds later, but Leonard retaliated with a good left hook flush on the jaw and half a dozen snappy straight lefts, on which there was no comeback.

The fourth was Leonard's all the way. He tried a score of times to measure Freddie for the right and did land several times, but for the most part the Englishman would spill his man before he could wing the right home. Welsh also got inside the right a lot. But several times this good right did whistle home with effect, once flush on the jaw and again to the face, and wiped out many times the several left jabs that Welsh got to the mark.

The fifth was Welsh's best round. Time after time he bored in recklessly, raining lefts and rights to Benny's head and body. He popped Leonard's head to one side with a left hook and in a rally just before the gong cut Benny's left eye badly.

In the sixth Welsh contented himself with playing for the body with his left. Leonard continued to stab with the left as he walked around the Britisher and played the right to the body in well meant uppercuts.

Through the eighth and ninth rounds Leonard continued to play for the body with his left, snapping it home to the stomach a dozen times or more. A right gashed Welsh's right eye in the eighth, for Benny kept playing for the jaw with the good mauler. The tenth was one continuous rally that fairly raised the roof, with honors even for this closing session.

Leonard was the first to enter the ring. When he appeared promptly at 10 o'clock in long trousers and white sweater his loyal band of rooters fairly raised the roof with applause.

Welsh left little Benjamin in the ring all alone for nearly ten minutes. After clambering into the ring the champion strolled nonchalantly to Leonard's corner and wished Benny a happy evening. Welsh weighed 136½ pounds and Leonard 132 stripped ringwise.

A tremendous throng turned out early for the mill. The crowd cluttered the main entrances on Madison avenue and littered the side streets, but there was no evident disorder anywhere. Police were on hand in sufficient numbers to keep the fans in check at all times. The historic Garden was jammed to the roof. Every seat was sold an hour before the battle. There wasn't as much class to last night's crowd as that which turned out to see the Willard-Moran bout, but there was more enthusiasm. The "regulars" who had to sit in the galleries last week were back in their accustomed places in the pit.

The throng sat contentedly through the semi-finals and most of the preliminaries whetting their appetites for the main event. No ringside betting was in evidence. But in the sporting places about town early in the evening Leonard was quoted on the long ends of the odds. This doubtless was due to Leonard's wonderful following. He has absorbed all of Leach Cross's hero worshippers since the battling dentist took the count from the sturdy right of Milburn Saylor.

Corona Kid and Kid Smith in the four round curtain raiser boxed a creditable draw. Larry Murtha of the West Side outpointed Walter Traybull of Chicago in four rounds.

In the six round semi-final Johnny Drummie shaded Paul Freda, formerly known as Kid Boonton.

1909-03-16 Freddie Welsh D-PTS10 Young Donahue [Parkview Athletic Club, New Orleans, LA, USA]

1909-03-17 The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA) (page 10)

DONAHUE GETS DRAW.
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Freddie Welsh Unable to Decidedly Outpoint Boston Boy.
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Three Thousand Fight Fans Go Wild Over Clever 10-Round Battle at Parkview A. C.
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Although Freddie Welsh had slightly the better of the fight last night at the Parkview Athletic Club, after ten rounds of clever work, Referee Wallace Wood called the interesting contest a draw, delighting the host of friends Young (Phil) Donahue, of Boston, has made here.

There was much delay, the cause of which was unexplained to the general public, but was on account of the Parkview Athletic Club people being reluctant about posting the $1,000 guaranteed by them to be posted before Welsh went into the ring. Eugene Lutz, the Britisher's manager, refused to allow Freddie to don a glove before part of the cash, at least, was put up. The fans mused merry cain following the preliminary for at least an hout before $650 of the thou' was finally put up by the Club, and Welsh came on to meet the waiting and ambitious Donahue. A disagreement over who should referee also had to be settled before the fight. Welsh wanted Dr. Wallace Wood. Donahue wanted Dave Barry. Welsh's demands were finally acceded to, Barry being deposed after having officiated gracefully in the preliminary as third man in the ring.

A battle royal between five negroes was the first on the card, and was won by Frank Coleman, a husky and hard-working moke, who was the last man in the ring after ten minutes of fighting. Eddie Dennis, of St. Louis, next fought Paddy McAndrews, at 150 pounds, and won by a knockout in less than a round.

The officials for the main bout were Dr. Wood, referee; Fred Buckowitz and Gabe Hausman, timers.

The first round was even, and so was the fourth. Welsh had a shade the better of the second, third and last three rounds. Donahue was best in the fifth and sixth. Donahue's left was always in the way, and his cleverness prevented Welsh from landing any dangerous blows, neither man being cut up at the end, though both had bloody mouths.

A return match is being eagerly discussed by all parties, both claiming to have had the best of the bout.

The fight by rounds:

First Round--Donahue led, Welsh blocking a left. Freddie tattooed body with rights in a clinch and hooked a left to the face. Donahue landed a right jab. Welsh sent a hard right to the body. Fred missed a left, and Donahue was fighting hard-in close at the end. Even.

Second Round--They exchanged jabs. Donahue landed two left hooks to face. Welsh jabbed with his left and landed lightly to the face in breaking from a clinch. Fred pummeled Phil's face with his right. Donahue got a hard left to the mouth. They were sparring at the end. Welsh's.

Third Round--Donahue landed two long range lefts, but Freddie sent his head back with a jab to the mouth. There was much wrestling, and Donahue's mouth was bleeding. Donahue was fighting back gamely at close quarters and playing for the body when a clinch was broken, and the round ended in Welsh's favor.

Fourth Round--Welsh feinted and put a hard left to the jaw. They did a lot of clinching. Donahue was really fighting. Welsh smiling and blocking and countering lightly. Even.

Fifth Round--Welsh got in some hard body blows in a clinch. Donahue placed a nice left jab, but took a number of body blows. Welsh's left and right follow was successful. Phil was leading at the end, however, having landed a number of lefts and did some fancy blocking.

Sixth Round--Donahue drove in three left jabs, but Welsh laced an overhand right, which staggered Phil. Donahue was covering up and Welsh was carrying all the fight to him at the end. Even.

Seventh Round--Donahue tried to jab and they exchanged kidney punches. Donahue kept Welsh away with his left. Welsh jabbed and followed with hard right. Donahue was persistent with his left, and Welsh could not get to him. Donahue's.

Eighth Round--After Donahue had landed two lefts, Welsh rushed him to the ropes with a shower of blows. Welsh loosened up and after ducking a left sent in a number of lefts to the face. Welsh was leading slightly at the end.

Ninth Round--Welsh slipped, ducking, but came on and placed a hard right to the mouth. There was much rapid clinching and breaking. Welsh hooked a hard right to the jaw and Donahue was covering up. Phil missed a hard swing. Welsh's back-hand right sent Donahue to the ropes. Welsh's.

Tenth Round--Welsh worked on Donahue's kidneys. Donahue jabbed, ducked a hook and covered himself well. Welsh missed a swing and received a number of body punches. He landed a good right to the jaw, but Donahue clinched and the gong caught them fighting close. Welsh had slightly the best of the last round, but the referee called it a draw.


1909-03-17 The New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA) (pages 8, 10)

DONOHUE PUTS UP A CORKING GOOD BOUT.
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Draws With Welsh in Ten Rounds to Surprise of Big Bunch of Fans.
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"I will box Donohue 20 rounds across the river if they want me to, but they had better arrange it quickly or I will be gone. I am disgusted since last night. I know I ought to have had the decision. I carried the fight to him all the way and landed more clean blows. How else is a bout to be decided? I didn't feel a blow he landed and don't believe he landed two clean blows in the whole bout. I feel as fresh to-day as if I had never been in a bout although Donohue outweighed me by eight or ten pounds. I weighed 129 Tuesday morning. I think he weighed 140."
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Young Donohue surprised nearly 1500 fans Tuesday night by drawing with Freddie Welsh in ten rounds. He put up one of the best scraps of his career, nearly matching Welsh in cleverness all the way.

Although Welsh had a shade it was very, very slight. Donohue made him go like a streak of lightning all the time and he never did get a chance to put over any real punishment. Light jabs to different parts of Donohue's anatomy were all that Welsh had. He never did put over anything that had the earmarks of a wallop.

Donohue tried his chop punch several times but it never did work. Now and then he rocked Welsh's head, and in one or two rounds he had the Englishman looking seriously, though he was never in danger.

The pace told on Donohue but he made a game finish. The last two rounds were hard ones for him. In the ninth Welsh had much the better of the going and Donohue looked tired and used up when he went to his corner. Welsh had begun to work a little on Donohue's facial features, one of the soft spots. His lip was slightly cut and his face bruised. A little more of Welsh's straight jabs from the shoulder would have had Donohue guessing.

In the tenth, however, Donohue was right there with almost as much speed as his opponent. Though not as strong as a few rounds before, he had enough strength to mix it right to the last, and he didn't get much the worst of it in the last round.

Donohue began his good work in the fourth round, and the fourth and fifth were his. He changed his tactics slightly, swinging a few that would have hurt if they had ever landed on a vulnerable spot.

Welsh seemed unable to get at Donohue as he did Erne. Donohue met all his attacks and was willing to give as much as he took. Welsh's footwork was marvelous, dancing around his man with the agility of a cat, but all he could get in was a few light pokes that didn't do a great amount of damage.

In the eighth Welsh began to show strongly. He seemed to realize that the only chance he had of getting a decision was weakening Donohue in the last two or three rounds. He got up under Donohue several times, poking one or two to the wind, pounding his kidneys and then rapping a volley of lefts and rights to Donohue's head as he broke. These blows to the head always slowed Donohue.

Young Donohue was in great shape. He outweighed Welsh by six or eight pounds, but was not as heavy as many fans expected to see him. Welsh was said to be below his normal fighting weight. He was down to 129 the day before the mill and had taken on very little weight when he went into the ring.

The show was terribly mismanaged. The battle royal between five negroes started a little before 9 o'clock. It was amusing while it lasted. There was a delay of twenty minutes or more, and then Paddy McAndrews and Dennis came in to mix it for half a round, which was all McAndrews lasted.

The Wolf-Dixon bout didn't go on, and there the fans sat grumbling--now and then yelling impatiently--from about 9:15 to 11 o'clock.

The delay was caused by a disagreement over referees. Donohue wanted Dave Barry, but Welsh claimed that Dr. Wallace Wood was agreed on when he signed. So Wood was chosen.

1906-03-08 Jack Blackburn ND6 Jack Williams [Broadway Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA, USA]

1906-03-09 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 10)

Blackburn Bested Williams

Jack Blackburn bested Jack Williams last night in the wind-up of the greatest show held at the Broadway Athletic Club for some time. The men started with a rush, each trying for the stomach, and Williams succeeded in landing some hard blows, but Blackburn kept fighting all the time and the round finished about even. From then on Blackburn had the best of it, swinging a left jab to the face and a right swing to the stomach.

In the semi wind-up Fred Welsh had the best of Tommy Love after six hard rounds. Johnny Murray, who was substituted for Kid Gleason, beat Gus Feldman. Jack Harley quit to George Womelsdorf in the fifth round and Hugh McCann and Jimmy Livingston went a six-round draw.


1906-03-09 The Philadelphia Record (Philadelphia, PA) (page 9)

BLACKBURN DEFEATED WILLIAMS

Downtown Middle-Weight Made the Colored Boxer Hustle.

Jack Blackburn defeated Jack Williams in a six-round bout in the wind-up at the Broadway Athletic Club last night. There was a big crowd present. While Williams was beaten it took all that the colored fellow could do to keep his lead, for Williams put up a great contest. In fact, he boxed better than he has for several months, and he seemed to get better as the bout progressed. The first round was even, neither man doing much and each trying to feel the other out. Blackburn landed several punches in the stomach and Williams got in a couple of light blows on Blackburn's head. From the second round on the bout was in favor of the colored boxer. In this round Blackburn got in a number of hard stomach punches, and one hard punch in the face started the blood flowing from Williams' nose.

The third round was a repetition of the second. Blackburn forced the boxing all the way and he punished Williams pretty hard. Williams' nose was bleeding freely when he came back to his corner. In the fourth round Blackburn knocked Williams down, and it looked as if it was all day with the downtown middle-weight; but he got up and came back strong and finished out the round in good shape. The fifth round was all in favor of Blackburn and he had Williams pretty weak. Williams lost considerable blood in this round. Williams made a great rally in the last round. He started right at Blackburn and fought every second of the round. But Blackburn did his share of the work, and before the end of the round the big fellow was pretty tired.

In the semi-wind-up Fred Welch outpointed Tommy Love. Welch was too heavy for Love, but Tommy put up a great battle while his strength lasted, and in the early part of the bout he had all the best of the exchanges. But in the last two rounds Love grew weak and Welch forced him and had Tommy tired and bleeding when the bout ended. Johnny Murray and Gus Feldman, of Palmyra, put up a fast draw. George Womelsdorf defeated Jack Harley in five rounds, and Hugh McCann and Jimmy Livingstone boxed a good draw.


1906-03-09 The Evening Times (Pawtucket, RI) (page 2)

Williams Outclassed.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 9.--Jack Blackburn outclassed Jack Williams in a six-round bout at the Broadway A. C. last night. Blackburn was too heavy for Williams and was very effective with his body blows.

1909-02-20 Freddie Welsh W-PTS20 Young Erne [Westside Athletic Club, New Orleans, LA, USA]

1909-02-21 The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA) (page 15)

WELSH WINS.
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Erne Stays the Twenty Rounds With English Champion,
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But the Fistic Foreigner Was Cleverest, and Proved Master of the Punch.
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By superior cleverness and endurance, Freddie Welsh, the English lightweight champion, gained the decision over "Young" Erne, after one of the hardest fought ring battles ever pulled off here. More than 2,500 persons witnessed the mill. Welsh was Erne's master throughout the twenty rounds. When Referee Dave Barry declared Welsh the winner, there were few dissenting opinions, for the game little Englishman not only outpointed the American lad, but chopped him to pieces before the end.

Erne gained a slight advantage in the fifth, ninth, twelfth and nineteenth rounds. In the fourth Welsh opened a wide gash in Erne's nose, and in the eighth started the gore flowing freely from the mouth. At the end of the fifteenth round Erne was groggy, and holding on desperately to evade the fatal blow. In the nineteenth Erne came back with remarkable speed, using his right and left with terrific effect on the English boy. Both men appeared to be strong at the end of the twentieth round. Welsh's left eye was slightly discolored, while Erne's face was cut to pieces. His mouth was swollen out of proportion and his left eye entirely closed.

Before the men were introduced Referee Barry read a telegram from Jimmy Clabby, the crack Milwaukee lad, challenging the winner of the fight. Both men accepted the terms. Big Marvin Hart, who fights before the Parkview Club next week, was introduced. He was hailed as the future champion heavy weight.

Erne was the first to enter the ring. He was accompanied by Bert Keyes, his trainer. He wore soft bandages about his wrists, and was attired in green trunks, and an American flag about his belt. Welsh was accompanied to his corner by Gene Lutz, the turfman. Erne examined the bandages worn by Welsh, and then raised a kick. Referee Barry ordered the Englishman to remove part of the bandages. Welsh then raised a howl as to the style of fighting proposed by Erne's second. He declared that the articles barred in-fighting, and provided for a clean break in the clinches. After considerable delay the articles were produced, which provided that the fighters could hit with one arm free in a clinch.

THE PRELIMINARIES.

Jack Collier, a local boy, and Kid Carter, of Denver, hooked up in the preliminary. Both men weighed 116 pounds. Collier jabbed Carter to pieces with his left in the first round, and in the second slipped three wicked right hooks to the jaw, putting Carter down for the count of seven, the gong saving him. Carter was still sleeping when the gong sounded for the third, and his second quit.

In the semifinal, Kid Greaves and Kid Stanley, both of New Orleans, fought at 110 pounds. Stanley forced the fighting, landing with little effect on Greaves. In the second Stanley walked into two or three hard right swings, and took the count after 14 minutes of fighting.

A telegram was received from Jimmy Clabby, of Milwaukee, challenging the winner of the Welsh-Erne mill, at 142 pounds. Phil Brock, of Cleveland, was introduced as an aspirant to divide honors with the winner.

THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS.

First Round--Erne led with left jabs to nose. Welsh put straight right to body and left to kidneys. Welsh jabbed his left to chin. Erne shook Welsh with a right to jaw.

Second Round--Welsh put his left to jaw, and Erne came back with right hook on jaw. Welsh placed two wicked jabs to face. Erne clinched. Welsh used his right on kidneys. Welsh swung his left to body, and brought his right across the jaw.

Third Round--Welsh put his right to jaw and followed it with a left to body. Erne shot his right to face, and Welsh put right to ear. Erne jabbed right and left. Welsh mixed it, using his right in clinches. Welsh brought blood with a left swing to nose.

Fourth Round--Erne swung his right to jaw, and missed a left jab. Erne swung a right, was met with a hard left to jaw coming back. Erne got a hard left to the face. Welsh landed his right to body. Erne right to body.

Fifth Round--Welsh ducked a right swing. Erne landed a right hook. Erne left to jaw twice, and left to body. Welsh feinted with left and brought his right across the jaw. Both clinched. Erne used his left on kidney.

Sixth Round--Erne hard left to jaw. Welsh right jab and right hook on jaw. Erne put his left to kidney. Welsh jabbed to mouth, bringing the blood. Welsh ducked into a slow hook. Men mixing when gong sounded.

Seventh Round--Erne led left to the jaw. Welsh brought his left under guard to jaw. Erne put a hard right to jaw. Welsh hooked right to jaw. Erne put left to jaw. Welsh jabbed left to jaw, and put right to body and left to jaw. Erne bleeding at the nose and mouth and seemed weak.

Eighth Round--Welsh put a straight right to jaw, and brought his left across the body. Welsh jabbed left to mouth, and swung hard rights and lefts to jaw. Erne ducked into a right hook to the nose. Erne put a straight jab to jaw, opening a gash in Welsh's nose. The men clinched as the gong rang.

Ninth Round--Erne came up fresh, with a left to the ear. Welsh smilingly put a left hook to neck. Erne countered with his right to jaw. Erne put a terrible left to neck. Both men used rights and lefts to jaw in the clinch. Erne jabbed his right to Welsh's nose, causing the blood to flow again.

Tenth Round--Erne swung right to jaw. Welsh jabbed left to nose. Erne put a hard right to jaw, and Welsh countered with a right hook to nose. Erne used long-range jab to good effect.

Eleventh Round--Welsh crossed Erne with right and left swings to jaw. Erne jabbed his right to mouth. Erne swung right and left, but Welsh was not there. Welsh blocked Erne's left jabs, using his right effectively on Erne's ear. Erne's right eye greatly swollen.

Twelfth Round--Erne put three straight lefts to face. Welsh put an upper-cut to jaw. Welsh staggered Erne with straight lefts to jaw. Welsh hooked his right on jaw. Erne fighting for cover. Gong found Erne bleeding and very weak.

Thirteenth Round--Welsh swung left to jaw; Welsh jabbed left and right to jaw. Erne dropped his guard and got a stiff jab on ear. Erne shot a hard right on jaw. Welsh staggered Erne with a stiff jab on jaw. Erne went to his corner very groggy.

Fourteenth Round--Erne came back in great shape, swinging his left to body. Welsh put a stiff right on jaw. Erne put his left to jaw, and jabbed his right to body. Welsh swung hard to face with his right. Welsh showing first signs of distress.

Fifteenth Round--Erne put a stiff right on nose. Welsh lunged with his right for the body, and met a stiff left swing. Welsh forced Erne to ropes, planting a hard right on jaw. Referee Barry cautioned Welsh not to use his head in clinches.

Sixteenth Round--Welsh swung left to jaw, forcing Erne to ropes. Erne tried for a right swing, and met a hard left on nose. Erne landed hard on body. The men fought at close range, Erne using his right with effect on Welsh's body.

Seventeenth Round--Erne jabbed his right to body. Welsh put a hard one on neck. Erne jabbed left to nose. Welsh put a hard left swing to kidneys. Erne jabbed left to nose, and brought a hard right across body. Both men fighting at long range.

Eighteenth Round--Welsh missed a wicked right hook. Erne countered with lefts and rights, forcing Welsh to ropes. Erne put a hard right to body. Welsh forced Erne to ropes.

Nineteenth Round--The gong found the men fighting furiously, Welsh using his right to jaw. Erne put a hard one to the neck. Welsh put a hard right to body, and followed it up with short right and left jabs.

Twentieth Round--Erne put a hard left to jaw. Welsh put a stiff left to jaw. Erne jabbed with his left, and swung a hard one on jaw. Welsh put a series of hard rights and lefts to jaw. Erne was hanging on, bleeding from nose and mouth.