In the mock fight Benny Leonard allows himself to be KO'd so that Kid Lombard can realize his fantasy. Forced to learn how to fight early owing to bands of Irish and Italian youths who on their way to the neighborhood public baths targeted Jews, Leonard quickly became a talented street fighter. BENNY LEONARD walked briskly past me as I greeted him in the lobby of St. Nicholas Arena. He sort of mumbled ''hi ya, kid,'' making clear that he didn't want to continue the conversation. When Benny Leonard fought Lew Tendler, the Forvertz plastered it over Page 1. “Stars in the Ring” is also encyclopedic. Silver’s outstanding figure among Jewish boxers is Benny Leonard champion from 1917 to 1925. They must have a deep medicine bag of traditional skills at their disposal. Benny Leonard (1896–1947), American world champion Hall-of-Fame lightweight boxer born Benjamin Leiner; Benny Parsons (1941–2007), American NASCAR driver and color commentator; Other. I call them pure boxers myself. High athleticism helps. But Leonard’s mental energy surpassed everyone else’s. He was … the one fighter who I felt could name the round with anyone.” A hero of New York City and a legend among the Jews, Benny Leonard retired in 1925, still the reigning world lightweight champion, a very rich man and as popular as ever. "Kid Lombard" can only think about becoming "the Champ". The athlete as thinker, Leonard approached boxing as “a game of chess.” Silver reports that the day after a bout, Leonard was back in the gym, reviewing mistakes and successes from the night before. Find out more about cookies It tells about Benny Leonard staging a mock championship fight with a deluded young man who stylized himself "Kid Lombard". BoxRec.com uses cookies to make the site simpler. Benny Leonard - Boxer ' Benny Leonard (born Benjamin Leiner, the son of Orthodox Jews) grew up in the rough and tumble Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City.

Leonard learned from everyone , including the youngest boxers in the gym. When people ask me who was the greatest boxer I ever saw, I hesitate to say either one.