[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memories & More [@20thCentBoxIMM](/creator/twitter/20thCentBoxIMM) on x XXX followers Created: 2025-07-23 06:43:35 UTC Benny Leonard defends his World Lightweight Championship, on July 23, 1923, with a 15-round unanimous decision win over Lew Tendler before a record crowd at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. Yankee Stadium (the first one) had only opened three months earlier, on April 18th of 1923. Former heavyweight titlist Jess Willard met Floyd Johnson there in the stadium's first boxing match on May 12th as well. The stadium, once a routine host to world title fights went from 1976 (Ali-Norton III) to 2010 (Miguel Cotto- Yuri Foreman WBA Super Welterweight title fight) between title fights and (check me on this one) I don't think it's hosted one since. Benny Leonard, another guy the X mob has likely never heard of or wpuld denigrate without an ounce of knowledge about him, one of the greatest lightweights of all-time, was born Benjamin Leiner to Jewish immigrants on the East Side of New York City in 1896. When he turned professional at age 15, he fought under the name Benny Leonard so his parents wouldn't know he was fighting. "I was a mama's boy," Leonard once said. "When I was 15, I began fighting in the local clubs, but I didn't want my folks to know. So I changed my name from Benny Leiner to Benny Leonard, after the famous minstrel man, Eddie Leonard. One night I came home after a fight and my mother was crying. She had found out. My father came in and started shouting at me. 'Viper, tramp,' he yelled. 'Fighting, fighting, fighting—for what?' I took out the five dollars I had earned and handed it to him. He looked at it, smiled and put his arms around me. 'That's all right, Benny,' he said. 'When are you going to fight again...?' " There were also reports that Leonard got his name when a ring announcer, who couldn't pronounce Leiner, called him Leonard. And from the (Mike Weaver i.e.) "never give up on yourself" department: Leonard was stopped in his pro debut and knocked out three more times in his first seven months as a professional. Yet he went on to be considered the best lightweight of the 20th century by many. Leonard learned quickly and developed into one of the most scientific boxers ever. He had fast hands, quick feet, an excellent jab, power in both hands, and great ring intelligence. He also had a gift for gab and constantly spoke to his opponents during fights. On May 20, 1917, at age 21, Leonard knocked out Freddie Welsh in nine rounds to win the World Lightweight Championship. Leonard earned over a million dollars during his career, but he lost everything when the stock market crashed in 1929. He returned to the ring in 1931 and went 20-0-1 before fighting Jimmy McLarnin in 1932. McLarnin knocked Leonard out in six rounds and ended of his comeback. Leonard retired with a record of 186-22-8-4 (70 KO). During World War II, Leonard served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Maritime Service. He served as Athletic Director and Special Services Officer. On the night of April 18, 1947, while refereeing a boxing match at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York, Leonard suffered a heart attack, staggered into the ropes, and fell to the canvas. He was carried into the dressing room and pronounced dead by a ringside doctor a few minutes later. He was only XX.  XX engagements  **Related Topics** [unanimous decision](/topic/unanimous-decision) [Post Link](https://x.com/20thCentBoxIMM/status/1947910447543321073)
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20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memories & More @20thCentBoxIMM on x XXX followers
Created: 2025-07-23 06:43:35 UTC
Benny Leonard defends his World Lightweight Championship, on July 23, 1923, with a 15-round unanimous decision win over Lew Tendler before a record crowd at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York.
Yankee Stadium (the first one) had only opened three months earlier, on April 18th of 1923.
Former heavyweight titlist Jess Willard met Floyd Johnson there in the stadium's first boxing match on May 12th as well. The stadium, once a routine host to world title fights went from 1976 (Ali-Norton III) to 2010 (Miguel Cotto- Yuri Foreman WBA Super Welterweight title fight) between title fights and (check me on this one) I don't think it's hosted one since.
Benny Leonard, another guy the X mob has likely never heard of or wpuld denigrate without an ounce of knowledge about him, one of the greatest lightweights of all-time, was born Benjamin Leiner to Jewish immigrants on the East Side of New York City in 1896. When he turned professional at age 15, he fought under the name Benny Leonard so his parents wouldn't know he was fighting.
"I was a mama's boy," Leonard once said. "When I was 15, I began fighting in the local clubs, but I didn't want my folks to know. So I changed my name from Benny Leiner to Benny Leonard, after the famous minstrel man, Eddie Leonard. One night I came home after a fight and my mother was crying. She had found out. My father came in and started shouting at me. 'Viper, tramp,' he yelled. 'Fighting, fighting, fighting—for what?' I took out the five dollars I had earned and handed it to him. He looked at it, smiled and put his arms around me. 'That's all right, Benny,' he said. 'When are you going to fight again...?' "
There were also reports that Leonard got his name when a ring announcer, who couldn't pronounce Leiner, called him Leonard.
And from the (Mike Weaver i.e.) "never give up on yourself" department:
Leonard was stopped in his pro debut and knocked out three more times in his first seven months as a professional. Yet he went on to be considered the best lightweight of the 20th century by many.
Leonard learned quickly and developed into one of the most scientific boxers ever. He had fast hands, quick feet, an excellent jab, power in both hands, and great ring intelligence. He also had a gift for gab and constantly spoke to his opponents during fights.
On May 20, 1917, at age 21, Leonard knocked out Freddie Welsh in nine rounds to win the World Lightweight Championship.
Leonard earned over a million dollars during his career, but he lost everything when the stock market crashed in 1929.
He returned to the ring in 1931 and went 20-0-1 before fighting Jimmy McLarnin in 1932. McLarnin knocked Leonard out in six rounds and ended of his comeback.
Leonard retired with a record of 186-22-8-4 (70 KO). During World War II, Leonard served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Maritime Service. He served as Athletic Director and Special Services Officer.
On the night of April 18, 1947, while refereeing a boxing match at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York, Leonard suffered a heart attack, staggered into the ropes, and fell to the canvas. He was carried into the dressing room and pronounced dead by a ringside doctor a few minutes later. He was only XX.
XX engagements
Related Topics unanimous decision