HEENEY’S CHANCES'

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 28 November 1927, Page 8

HEENEY’S CHANCES'

IN LINE FOR TITLE BOUT. GENE TUNNEY’S VIEW. ‘‘BEST OF THE PRESENT LOT.” San Francisco, Nov. 2. Not since the palmy days of Ruby Bob Fitzsimmons has so much interest been manifested in the doings of another Antipodean disciple of I’istiana in tho United States as in the perergnnations over the American Republic of Tom Heeney, the New Zealand heavyweight boxer, who has gained a widespread reputation as one of the finest examples of heavies in the squared ring of prize-fight-ing.

Gene Tunney especially admires the deft manner in which Keeney handles himself in the ring, and the world’s title-holder, while expecting one of his opponents to be Wilflam Harrison Dempsey for a third time for aspirant honours, after two conspicuous failures, has let it be known in New York that the New Zealand exponent boxing in the heavy-weight division is his most formidable opponent for tho heavyweight crown. A dispatch from New York says Tunney thinks his chief opponent, will be Tom Heeney, ‘‘who is considered by Gene the best of the crop of heavies who are about to take part in Tex Rickards’ elimination tournaments.” The heavyweight champion will insist that tho fights will be over the 15-round route, and believes he would have ended all arguments by knocking out Jack Dempsey at Chicago in September if the battle at Soldiers’ Field had not been limited to ten rounds.

Gene told of his wishes, beliefs and prejudices, and said? ‘‘l would like to defend the ehampionship on July 4, and then again in September. I expact Dempsey to be one of the two mon I meet. Jack is too smart for the rest of tho field.” It transpirns that tho nrceenr heavyweight champion considers . Dempsey “tricky” but very smart.” TRIBUTE TO RING CRAFT. More than Jack’s punching ability, more than upon his courage, which Gone freely acknowledges, Tunney in speaking of his predecessor laid stress upon Dempsey’s ringeraft. This is interesting in view of the fact that there had been a rather widespread opinion that the title-holder underrated his erstwhile opponent’s mentality. In addition to Dempsey, Geno expects to meet tho survivor of the elimination tournament. “I think Heeney is the best of the present lot,” Tunney said. Heretofore, Gene has been extremely reticent to express such an opinion, for fear of hurting tho feelings of other heavy-weights, and especially those of their sensitive managers. Apparently however, Tunney Went on to discuss tho aspirants for his title. ‘There’s Jack Sharkey, of course ’ ho said, “but I think Dempsey a 1! ways will be able for Sharkey. Paolino and Phil Scott are rugged and strong, but my guess will be Heeney,” Gone snid he had signed no contract with Tex Rickard concerning the defence of his championship, and that he would not sign until assured that tho bout will be over the 15round route.

“Every championship affair should be at that distance,” said Tunney. “If my last bout with Dempsey had boon at 15 rounds, I think I could have stopped him.” Tho champion said that even if Geo. Godfre , 'he negro heavyweight, who stoppci i Jimmy Maloney and Monte Munn in short order, were to ■win his way through an elimination tournament, there would be no chance of a Tunney-Godfrey bout. “I have drawn tho colour line. I have never met a negro boxer, nnd never will,” the champion exclaimed.