TOM HEENEY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 4

TOM HEENEY

THINGS AMERICANS READ OF HIM.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 24

The picturesque niggedness of Tom Heeney, who shortly will appear in the prize-fight ring to attempt to wrest the world’s heavyweight championship from Gene Tunney, the present holder of the title, seems to he tickling the risibilities of some of the Yankee sport writers, and one Gotham scribe says: “ Although he has been branded a colourless fighter, despite his disregard for Shakespeare, and not excepting his plain and unimpressive features, Tom Heeney, perhaps unconsciously, is truly a philosopher.

"Heeney cares not a tinker's dam for colour, erudition, or a Beau Jinimmel complexion. In fact, ho harbours no desires for great wealth. Heeney seeks but one goal, and that, the glowing jgl Dorado of .every real philosopher, happiness. Heeney told of his dreams, spoke softly of roseate air castles, which will become real if he wins the world’s heavy-weight championship from Gene Tunney. “ ‘There’s just one thing I want to do,’ he murmured, 1 and that is to travel. I’ve always longed to see things, to watch other people.” “ His voice mounted in enthusiasm as he continued, and ho spoke more rapidly. “ ' Big game shooting in East Africa, that’s my greatest desire. Just think of it! There are all kinds of animals, more than any man could want. Gosh, what 1 wouldn’t give to get out there and really live. And I could do my own cooking, and wouldn’t have to shave or put on a clean collar. “‘Do you think I’d monkey with vaudeville or try to make more money in other ways if I won the title with

all that waiting for me? Gosh, no. 1 want to sec Airica. 1 want to see China, where they don’t have chairs or forks.’

“ Women was the next subject suggested, hut Heeney was not interested there. ‘I like to go out with the girl':,’ lie remarked, ‘ hut I don’t think I’ll over get married.’ “ Suddenly the heavy-weight contender hurst into a loud laugh. ‘Gosh,’ lie chortled, ‘ I just thought about the stories they wrote when I first came hero a year ago. Said ] didn’t even have an overcoat. Well, if they only knew it, 1 came over first-class with plenty in the hank. “ ‘ Why, in my last fight in England 1 got 1200 dollars, and that is a lot over there. Of course, there are places in London so expensive that if you order cofi'ee and cough three times they take tlie gold out of your teeth. Rut you don’t have to go there. “ ‘Gosh; if 1 win that championship I'll come hack just once a year to defend it. Just think of those animals.’ ’’ A great volume of the foregoing calibre of sporting writing is appearin'-; in the American press, hut some ov the Yankee sheets continue to designate Heeney an Australian, thinking that New Zealand is a town in the t omniomvonllh.