THIRD TITLE WIN1

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 8

THIRD TITLE WINI

HEENEY WINS AGAIN WELTER CROWN RETAINED FINE TREBLE SCORED l (Special to the Herald.) INVERCARGILL, this day. A new record for New Zealand amateur boxers to aim'at was set in Invercargill last night when the Gisborne welterweight, Darcy Heeney, won the New Zealand amateur welterweight championship tor the third successive year. Heeney won his first title in Greymouth in 1937, retained it in Gisborne last year, and again successfully defended it in Invercargill this year. This ■ performance has not before 'been equalled in national championship tournaments. Matched in the final against the Auckland boxer, Bill Little, Heeney showed greatly improved form and hit faster and more accurately than at' any other stage in the tournament. He was well ahead on points at the end of the first round, but half-way during the second he went to the canvas as the result of an ■ accidental low punch.

Fighting Loses Sting

The Gisborne fighter rested on the lower rope for a count of seven and then carried on. Much of the sting was taken out of his boxing, but he maintained his points lead in the final round by slipping Little's leads and scoring at will with both hands.

The decision in favour of the defending champion was a popular one with the crowd, Heeney being accorded a great reception on the completion of his notable treble. It.,us worthy of note that. Heeney had not had a fight between the championships of 1938 and 1939, in comparison with his opponents, all of whonf had taken part in tournaments ip the intervening year.