Benny Leonard and Modern Technique

Leonard's trainer Manny Seamon said this "Benny wasn't strong, and he knew it. He was easily hurt with good punches. In fact, he could be hurt a little more than the average fighter. That's what made him such a great boxer. He knew he had to be clever to keep out of trouble, and so he spent many hours learning to hide and get away."

 

"Leonard made the closest study of feinting of anyone I've ever dealt with, and I regarded him as The Mastermind of boxing. When fighters make a man miss today, they move back slash-off balance. Not so mr. Leonard. He would sidestep and then move on quickly with a punch hard enough to knock his opponents brains out.

 

From Benny Leonard to his trainer.... " Mannie, I know I'm great. I know I can beat anybody my weight because I work so hard to become good and made many sacrifices. I know that if I get knocked down I have to get up because so many people expect me to and because I have nothing to fear! I have so much reserve in my system because I always train faithfully." From Seamon...."Leonard was not a braggart he said this because he knew it believed it and lived it it was actually a Superman in boxing trunks in his prime and so had complete confidence in himself."

 

In some ways he looks really good — accurate, uses angles, good footwork.

But I don’t see a lot of combinations ... hardly any unless you count a 1-2 with a bit of hesitation (like jab ... right). Would he be capable of competing and mastering more modern combo punching? Absolutely. But as is, I don’t see him beating, say, Duran.

 

You're right about the lack of combos. But Burley, Hopkins, RJJ, and Mayweather didnt throw many either. Not sure to what extent this would be a negative.

 

This is the best thread in a dog's age.

 

RJJ didn’t throw combinations? I’ve seen him throw triple rights and quadruple hooks. And let go in six- and eight-punch volleys. Many times. As he got heavier he settled down and picked shots, but there’s a big difference between lightweight and light heavy.

Mayweather too. He could potshot but he also let his hands go quite frequently.

 

Are you looking at the Tendler fight? He was a dangerous Southpaw.

 

Yes. I didn’t comment on the opponent. Just that he looks like what today would be called a pot-shotter. Didn’t see many combos.

 

Southpaws are a different animal to fight. I know Tendler was dangerous. He may have been looking for that right hand against the lefty gameplan.

 

Ray Arcel didn't really train Benny Leonard. He was his friend...and when Benny made his comeback in his mid 30s he ask Ray to 2nd him. Be there to protect him.
Mannie Seamon was his trainer and cornerman in Benny's prime years. He also took over for Jack Blackburn after he passed. He trained Joe Louis from the early 40s to the end.
Two pretty good names on Seamon's resume. Especially for a guy nobody ever talks about Manny Seamon.

 

The fight shown here is actually the first between the two.