LEONARD, BENNY ORIGINAL CARTOON ARTWORK (RETIREMENT-1924)

Benny Leonard (born Benjamin Leiner; April 17, 1896 – April 18, 1947) was an American lightweight boxer. He was ranked 8th on the Ring Magazine's list of the "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years" and #7 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Boxers of All-Time." In 2005, the International Boxing Research Organization ranked Leonard as the #1 lightweight of all-time. Leonard was known for his speed, excellent boxing technique and ability to think fast on his feet. He also was a hard hitter, who scored 70 KOs out of his 183 wins. Leonard was defeated 19 times and was held to a draw on 11 occasions. As was common in the era in which he fought, Leonard engaged in several no-decision matches and is believed to have fought 213 bouts. Besides being lightweight champion, Leonard challenged welterweight champion Jack Britton for his title on June 26, 1922. He lost the fight when he was disqualified for hitting Britton when Britton was down in the thirteenth round. Leonard retired from boxing in 1924, as the reigning world's lightweight champion, because his mother told him to. He lost most of his considerable fortune in the stock market crash of 1929, and embarked on an ill-advised comeback in 1931. Although described as pudgy and slow, the balding Leonard won 23 fights, albeit against nondescript opposition, before meeting a championship caliber fighter. On October 7, 1932, his career ended when he was TKOed in 6 rounds by future champion Jimmy McLarnin. Offered here is original cartoon art of Benny Leonard done in 1924 on the occasion of his initial retirement.
This is original cartoon art signed by artist Mike Angelo. Wonderful likeness of Benny leonard. On thin stock cardboard. Chipped in upper left corner. Bold color and print. Minor soiling. No creasing. 12" x 13."