Joe Gans v Benny Leoanard

Surf-Bat · Jul 10, 2014

Ted Spoon said: ↑

In a finish fight Gans' experience and overall ruggedness puts him in good stead to come away the winner. Fifteen rounds is the better question.

Something that may surprise is Leonard's pop. Unlike Harry Greb or Willie Pep, Leonard could really dig in between skating about; it was very difficult to brace for what came your way, and it's much easier to suss your foe if you can keep him honest.

Gans had brilliant, precise footwork with a knack for timing bombs. There's no doubt he could stagger Benny, and a steady jab would be key to upset his rhythm. Could he stop him? Could he buzz him enough to win rounds? This strikes me as the difference between victory and defeat.

The pro-Gans argument, one that historian Monte Cox champions, is that Gans would be too powerful for a guy who got a hurt a few times. The problem here is that Leonard's hairy moments also speak of his strength. Anyone can be hurt, so we should be more interested in what you do when the inevitable happens. In Leonard's case it was dominate the most competitive era in 135lbs history. His ability to adapt, against Charley White, Richie Mitchell and Lew Tendler proved just how many layers there were to his game. Hurt him and the puzzle multiplies.

This really is a 60/40 type of affair, The Old Master could beat any man, but, meditating on Leonard's quick feet and ambiguous style, I think there is enough depth to his game that even Gans' by-the-book brilliance would find it difficult to overrule. At the final bell, heavily bruised and dog tired, Leonard is still there. And that should mean the scorecards favour him, if only by a couple of points.
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Bravo!:happy Great post!

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Joe Gans v Benny Leoanard

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Joe Gans v Benny Leoanard

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