BoxRec

What was the inside story about the fight between the great champions Benny Leonard, (World Lightweight Champion) and Jack Britton (World Welterweight Champion)?

Does anyone know the story behind of Leonard's disqualification loss to Britton?

How can a fight of this magnitude ended in strange circumstances? This is like when the great Roy Jones, Jr fought in his first fight with Montell Griffin.

Was the mafia involved?
Why did Leonard chose to lose by DQ? Did he ever told the story?

Your thoughts about one of the most anticipated fights of the 20th century and 1920s decade.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑06 Nov 2019, 04:52 What was the inside story about the fight between the great champions Benny Leonard, (World Lightweight Champion) and Jack Britton (World Welterweight Champion)?

Does anyone know the story behind of Leonard's disqualification loss to Britton?

How can a fight of this magnitude ended in strange circumstances? This is like when the great Roy Jones, Jr fought in his first fight with Montell Griffin.

Was the mafia involved?
Why did Leonard chose to lose by DQ? Did he ever told the story?

Your thoughts about one of the most anticipated fights of the 20th century and 1920s decade.

Elmer
In the book Corner Men by Ron Fried he did an interview with Manny Seamon who along with Ray Arcel worked with Leonard to prepare for Britton and his welterweight title. Inside the dressing room before the fight,Benny got the word that he had to go in the tank. The odds were heavy in his favor so the gamblers wanted to cash in with Britton. Seamon said Leonard was heartbroken.He was in the best shape of his life and that all his friends bet on him to win. So what happened was this:Leonard fought lethargically and was behind in the fight. In the 13th round Leonard fouled Britton hitting him low. Jack went to his knees.For added measure Leonard went up to Jack and hit him when he was still down. Benny was DQ'd on the spot losing on a foul canceling all bets, thus Benny's friends got their money back.

Growing up reading Ring Magazine , the Jewish sportswriters that worked for Nat Fleischer claimed that Leonard "didn't want" the welterweight championship. I never bought that. Seamon who was there with Leonard for the fight cleared the mystery thanks to Fried's interview.



The great Benny Leonard

Rog, I agree, I too never bought into that 'he didn't want it' story. Nat Fleischer was very protective of his buddies and that story reeked. Why sign to fight in the first place? Or better still, if you didn't want it, why not dictate a non-title fight instead? Have Britton come in at 148 and you're golden.

The only other reason I can think of for fouling out was possible ego. For years I had heard that Leonard was way ahead and purposely fouled out because again, 'he didn't want it.' Then I read up on it deeply and discovered what you mentioned, that Britton was the one ahead in the fight and was looking at certain victory. Perhaps the DQ looked better than a loss. But if I was to pick, I think I would lean towards your explanation. Of course, Nat was never going to write some expose on one of his buddies, so that is possibly where the 'Leonard was ahead' may have come from. Regardless, it's lost in the ether.

Dan
Awhile back I delved into the New York City archives looking for a post fight account on Leonard /Britton.One of the papers(I forget which one)gave a round by round description and scoring. They had Britton ahead going into the 13th 7-4-1.The descriptions noted that Leonard couldn't get any thing going. He looked slow,not that Britton was boxing his puss off. The reporter was like the rest of the crowd- a little bewildered. Then the mysterious round 13. A body shot?Or was it a low blow? Anyway when Britton was down Leonard rushed over and clipped him. DQ. Everyone in the arena was left talking to each other trying to figure what had just happened including the ref and the judges. Ray Arcel said later that Benny just lost control of himself. Or was it that he ate a steak and got a stomach ache?

Hey, thank you for your input of this legendary fight, dagosd200 and scartissue.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑06 Nov 2019, 22:12 Hey, thank you for your input of this legendary fight, dagosd200 and scartissue.

You're welcome

All Ive heard is it was fixed...wonder if the boys outside the ring were running some on the side betting....