Benny Leonard - A resume.

09-05-2007, 05:51 AM

Benny Leonard, (183-18-12) lightweight 1911-1932.

What do we know about him? Was he any good?

I wonder why there's no hype. Everybody knows Duran and his fights against SRL or Hearns etc. Who did Benny Leonard beat? Was his style exciting?

Anyone?

Luigi1985 · 09-05-2007, 05:54 AM

KTFO, he was white, I don´t think he was any good, IMO he has a padded record and fought only handpicked opponents...

janitor · 09-05-2007, 05:54 AM

Dominated perhaps the toughest era in the lightweight divisions history.

He is a top 3 all time lightweight and a good choice for the No1 spot.

Sweet Science · 09-05-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTFO

Benny Leonard, (183-18-12) lightweight 1911-1932.

What do we know about him? Was he any good?

I wonder why there's no hype. Everybody knows Duran and his fights against SRL or Hearns etc. Who did Benny Leonard beat? Was his style exciting?

Anyone?

The main problem is lack of footage.

He certainly has plenty of notable fans, such as Bert Sugar who swears Benny was the best fighter ever.

09-05-2007, 06:01 AM

Quote:

The main problem is lack of footage.

Senya13 · 09-05-2007, 06:11 AM

There's footage of his two fights with Lew Tendler and loss to Jimmy McLarnin.

While he was still active, it was thought that his resume was inferior to Joe Gans', but after he retired the opinion was reversed.

Sweet Science · 09-05-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senya13

There's footage of his two fights with Lew Tendler and loss to Jimmy McLarnin.

While he was still active, it was thought that his resume was inferior to Joe Gans', but after he retired the opinion was reversed.

Rose tinted glasses and a unhealthy dose of nostalgia can have that effect.

Senya13 · 09-05-2007, 06:15 AM

Careful watching of the footage available (preferably slowed down by about 15% for normal speed) and study of contemporary sources.

Sweet Science · 09-05-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senya13

Careful watching of the footage available (preferably slowed down by about 15% for normal speed) and study of contemporary sources.

I didn't mean you had on rose tinted glasses. I meant that generally people who look back on a fighter and elevate them to undeserved heights. I was agreeing with your previous post.

Senya13 · 09-05-2007, 06:21 AM

Well your statement suits Bert Sugar perfectly, I would agree. That's why I don't want to waste my money or my time reading his book. I better spend money to subscribe to newspaperarchive site (speaking of which mine expires this month, gotta check that I have enough money on my visa to prolong it).

janitor · 09-05-2007, 06:59 AM

Leonard beat-

Johny Dundee X4
Johny Kilbane X2
Rocky Kansas X3
Fredie Welsh X3
Fighting Jimmy Regan
Leo Johnson
Jack Britton X2
Ted Kid Lewis
Willie Ritchie X2
Lew Tendler X2

That is the great fighters out of the way. If I go through those who were merely world class I will be here all day.

09-05-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

KTFO, he was white, I don´t think he was any good, IMO he has a padded record and fought only handpicked opponents...

That's fo'sho'.

But the question is was his style exciting?

Mendoza · 09-05-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janitor

Leonard beat-

Johny Dundee X4
Johny Kilbane X2
Rocky Kansas X3
Fredie Welsh X3
Fighting Jimmy Regan
Leo Johnson
Jack Britton X2
Ted Kid Lewis
Willie Ritchie X2
Lew Tendler X2

That is the great fighters out of the way. If I go through those who were merely world class I will be here all day.

Leonard beat the who's who of his era. Perhaps the most loaded resume of the all time greats at his weight class.

09-05-2007, 05:51 AM	#1
KTFO Guest Posts: n/a vCash:	Benny Leonard - A resume. Benny Leonard, (183-18-12) lightweight 1911-1932. What do we know about him? Was he any good? I wonder why there's no hype. Everybody knows Duran and his fights against SRL or Hearns etc. Who did Benny Leonard beat? Was his style exciting? Anyone?
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09-05-2007, 05:54 AM	#2
Luigi1985 Cane Corso ESB Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,318 vCash: 1000	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. KTFO, he was white, I don´t think he was any good, IMO he has a padded record and fought only handpicked opponents...
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09-05-2007, 05:54 AM	#3
janitor P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 19,147 vCash: 1000	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. Dominated perhaps the toughest era in the lightweight divisions history. He is a top 3 all time lightweight and a good choice for the No1 spot.
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09-05-2007, 06:11 AM	#6
Senya13 Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Russia Posts: 3,335 vCash: 1210	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. There's footage of his two fights with Lew Tendler and loss to Jimmy McLarnin. While he was still active, it was thought that his resume was inferior to Joe Gans', but after he retired the opinion was reversed.
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09-05-2007, 06:15 AM	#8
Senya13 Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Russia Posts: 3,335 vCash: 1210	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. Careful watching of the footage available (preferably slowed down by about 15% for normal speed) and study of contemporary sources.
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09-05-2007, 06:21 AM	#10
Senya13 Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Russia Posts: 3,335 vCash: 1210	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. Well your statement suits Bert Sugar perfectly, I would agree. That's why I don't want to waste my money or my time reading his book. I better spend money to subscribe to newspaperarchive site (speaking of which mine expires this month, gotta check that I have enough money on my visa to prolong it).
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09-05-2007, 06:59 AM	#11
janitor P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 19,147 vCash: 1000	Re: Benny Leonard - A resume. Leonard beat- Johny Dundee X4 Johny Kilbane X2 Rocky Kansas X3 Fredie Welsh X3 Fighting Jimmy Regan Leo Johnson Jack Britton X2 Ted Kid Lewis Willie Ritchie X2 Lew Tendler X2 That is the great fighters out of the way. If I go through those who were merely world class I will be here all day.
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