ABOUT TOM HEENEY
— — v— There have been many inquiries abcut the age of Tom Heeney and the date he foiight Gene Tunney for the world's heavyweight championship. Tom Heeney was born in Gisborne on May 18, 1893. He f ought Gene Tunney for the world's heavyweight title in New York on July 26, 1928. Tunney won this bout by a technical knockout in the eleventh round, although Heeney wanted to carry on. In 1919 at Hastings Tom Heeney drew with Brian McCleary. In 1923 they fought in Christchurch as professionals, and Heeney won on a knoc'kout in -14 rounds. Heeney had McCleary beaten and helpless on the ropes but not down. Heeney appealed to the referee to stop the bout, but owing to Ihe great inter-^ est in this bout the referee said "box on." McCleary went to Lewisham Hospital dangerously ill, but fortunately recovered and is today a very fit man at 50 years of age. Jack Heeney, brother to Tom, was N.Z.E.F. middleweight champion and won the New Zealand title from Ireland (Waipawa) .. Jack Heeney fought Tommy Uren," the brilliant Australian middleweight, at Hastings, but the ciass was a bit too high. Jack also fathered Darcy Heeney, New Zealand amateur welter champion, and a boy who was robbed of an Empire title in Sydney. He never had a chance of showing his class in the professional ranks. Darcy Heeney lost his life while serving in the Navy.
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Bibliographic details
Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1947, Page 6
Word Count
239ABOUT TOM HEENEY Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1947, Page 6
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