Bennett, Leonard

Bennett was a professional welterweight in the 1930s and early 1940s who captured the Washington State welterweight title in 1935.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
Born in Seattle, Bennett began his professional boxing career in the early 1930s. In October 1930, he fought Tuffy Wing, the former Pacific Coast featherweight and junior lightweight champion, and won a six-round decision. In May 1932, Bennett fought former world welterweight champion Young Jack Thompson and lost a six-round decision. The following January, Bennett had moved up the ranks and received his first title shot against Freddie Steele for the Northwest welterweight championship. Although Leonard broke Steele's jaw in two places, he lost a six-round decision.

Following the defeat to Steele, Bennett continued to fight the top boxers in the Northwest. He lost to Steele in February 1934, but captured the Washington State welterweight title in March 1935 by defeating Al Lewis in a ten-round decision. The following year, Bennett traveled to Australia and fought a series of bouts against Australian fighters. Upon his return to the United States and fought future world welterweight champion Al Hostak in February 1937 and was knocked out in the eighth-round.

In July 1940, Bennett fought another future world welterweight champ Fritzie Zivic, and was knocked out in the fourth-round. Leonard continued to fight for another couple of years around the country, including in Chicago, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Youngstown (Ohio), Cincinnati, and Syracuse. He ended his career with a couple of bouts at the Syracuse Air Base.

Origin:
Seattle, Washington

Physical description:
5'7-1/2", 146 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record (incomplete):
Wins: 32 (13 by knockout)
Losses: 23
Draws: 8

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