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