1922 in New York Leonard got DQ under odd circumstances. Was the Welterweight title on the line here? Looking for thoughts, opinions on what went down that day. From the account I read years ago it looked like Benny wasn't supposed to hurt him, just carry him the distance. By reflex he knocked Britton out and being as intelligent as he was went over and struck him while he was laying on the canvas. That's my theory if the account I read was accurate. If that is what happened then damn Benny must have been everything they said he was.
From my understanding Leonard was losing the fight. It was close and he scored a knockdown but got excited and out of character landed a punch when Britton was down. The title was on the line. I read this in a book about Leonard written by Nat Fleischer when had just passed away.
That doesn't sound like Benny Leonard though. My perception of him was that besides being a bad mthfkr he also was the brightest and the sharpest. A cool customer. I can't picture him just losing his cool to that extent. Like Sugar Ray or Ali losing it in the heat of battle.
Britton was not a hard hitter but had 350 bouts in an era of great welterweights and was stopped only once - in his 2nd fight; This speaks "tons" for his boxing ability; During his career, Britton won the Welterweight Championship of the World Jun 13 Benny Leonard Bronx, NY WF 13 This content is protected http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/britton-j.htm
