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1923 LW Title Bouts

WBA

Benny Leonard CH (49-2-1) vs Andy Chaney #4 (26-5-2)

Leonard, whose most recent loss was to Chaney (a KO 7 shocker back in 1921) seeks revenge. Chaney has won his last four to set up this title shot.

Edge to Leonard in a close round one. Both focus on defense in round two, not much in the way of action. Chaney tries to work inside in round three, but it's a strong round for Leonard. The Champ presses his advantage on the inside, taking round four. Round five, both stay outside, another close round. It's Leonard up by two (49-47) according to the ringside expert's card at this point. Round six, the two exchange blows on the inside, once again to Leonard's advantage. Chaney can't break through on the inside in round seven, and a Leonard countershot puts him on the deck in round eight. Chaney has his best round of the bout in round 10, but still trails badly (98-92) going into the final five rounds. Leonard connects with an overhand right to register his second KD in round 11, en route to an easy UD 15 win (148-134, 146-136, 148-134).

Benny Leonard CH (50-2-1) vs Jimmy Goodrich #7 (23-4)

First meeting of the two. Goodrich, the new NABF Champ, is riding a three-bout win streak while Leonard is unbeaten in his last eight.

After a close opening round, Leonard is target on the outside but Goodrich does well enough to keep the bout close (47-all on the unofficial cards) after five, despite some swelling under his right eye. Leonard steps up the pace in rounds six and seven, gradually pulling ahead. Goodrich tries to get more aggressive, to no avail. The badly swollen eye impedes the challenger, and Leonard scores the bout's only knockdown with a right cross in round 13. Another masterful performance by the Ghetto Wizard, who keeps his belt with a dominant UD win (147-136 on all three cards).

Benny Leonard CH (51-2-1) vs Lew Tendler #1 (35-6-1)

Top contender Tendler tries for the title again, having lost a TKO to Leonard back in 1919. Tendler enters the bout having won 7 of his last 8.

A slow start by both men in round one, edge to Leonard. The Champ takes charge in round two, unleashing a heavy barrage from the outside. Tendler works the inside in the third, but Leonard's jab finds its target, opening a cut below Tendler's left eye. Round four, Tendler is on the defensive, protecting the cut. A huge round five gives Leonard a strong lead (50-45) on the unofficial card, after five. Both move inside in round six, and this time Tendler is able to hold his own. Edge to Leonard in round seven, who wins the outside exchanges and causes Tendler's cut to reopen. The cut is reopened again in the eighth round, causing a visit from the doctor to Tendler's corner. A more aggressive Tendler rebounds to take round nine. Leonard is also on the defensive in round 10, and the unofficial card has Leonard up by five (98-93) heading into the final rounds. Tendler presses the action, but his left eye starts to swell up and fatigue sets in. Leonard wins another solid UD 15 (15-139, 145-139, 147-137), this time versus a top-rated contender.

Benny Leonard CH (52-2-1) vs Rocky Kansas #1 (36-9-3)

Third meeting -- Leonard won the prior two.

Leonard takes charge from the outset, and there is plenty of action as Kansas also opens up, trying to fight back. The bout ends suddenly with a TKO stoppage as Kansas is near collapse with six seconds left in round one, and Leonard's hand is held in triumph.

NABF: Sam Robideau and Jimmy Goodrich are matched for the NABF title vacated by Leonard once he regained the WBA title. Goodrich, in his first title bout, dominates the action, taking advantage of an early cut to force a stoppage. Goodrich by TKO 6. Late in the year, Goodrich defends versus USBA Champ, Andy Chaney, piling up an early points lead and gradually wearing down his opponent. Easy UD 12 win for Goodrich.

USBA: Andy Chaney defends against Red Dolan, who is outmatched and suffers a swollen right eye that enables Chaney to post an easy UD 12 win.

CBU: Aussie Herb McCoy starts the year with the belt, but he falls behind Canadian challenger Clonie Tait, who seals a solid UD 12 win with a knockdown in round nine. Tait defends versus his countryman, Gilbert Gallant, who takes advantage of an early cut that leads to a TKO stoppage in the ninth -- Gallant takes the belt. Later in the year, he defends against GBU beltholder Ernie Rice, who scores the bout's only KD but loses the UD 12 to an otherwise dominant Gallant.

GBU: Ernie Rice defended versus ex-Champ Llew Edwards and, in a surprise, Rice surprises Edwards with a strong shot that results in a KO 8 for Rice, who keeps the belt into 1924.

EBU: "French Flash" Benny Valgar defends versus veteran Phil Bloom, scoring two KDs in round seven en route to a decisive UD 12 victory. Valgar then takes on the much younger British challenger, Harry Mason, who builds an early lead only to have Valgar come back with a strong second half of the bout to escape with a MD 12 win.