Born: Benjamin Leiner
Lightweight Champion 1917-23
Perhaps the greatest lightweight of all time, Benny Leonard possessed superb boxing skills as well as potent punching power. He fought over two hundred times and suffered only four knockouts; three early in his career and the forth in his final fight. Born on the east side of New York, Leonard learned to fight in neighborhood battles and turned pro in 1911 at just fifteen years of age. In his inaugural bout he was knocked out in the third round. Leonard, who died at St. Nick's Arena where he suffered a fatal heart attack while refereeing a fight, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
The Boxing Register