THE FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1928, Page 3

THE FIGHT

Australian Press Assn.—United Servioe THE BIG FIGHT. BEFORE THE BATTLE. NEW YORK, July 25. Nows from Fairliaven states that Tom Heeney spent the day quietly, devoting it to reading and conversing with liis camp associates. No reference was made to the fight. The New Zealander exhibits a remarkable poise, while Gene Tunney is reported to be restraining his emotions with difficulty. The New York betting odds vary. The champion still maintains a slight lead. Tex Rickard, in compliance with a public demand, has reduced the price of the cheapest seats, seven thousand of which were immediately sold. The champion and challenger are compelled to appear at the Madison Square Garden at 2 p.m. on Ihursday to weigh in.

NEW YORK, July 25. A message from Speculator states that Gene Tunney is reported to bo manifesting uneasiness regarding bis proposed flight to New York. A feai lurks in his mind that some mishap may occur, thus necessitating bis taking the train, wherefore he would arrive at the fight tired, and unable to offer Heeney his maximum ability. The champion threw his traditional modesty to the winds when lie declared that he was determined to knock out Tom Hceriev. Tunney appeared to he in good foi m at his filial training, and he watched a giant Sikorsky amphihean plane, selected for his New York flight arrive at Speculator. GISBORNE, July 26. A New York broadcast has just been received by Mr Ivan O’Meara, and states that Gene Tunney is now enjoying his last sleep before he faces Tom Heeney. Yesterday Tunney did his last work-out, covering four miles of road work. He retired to bed at 10 p.m. Tunney gave instructions to be called at 8 o’clock this morning. After a light breakfast, he will go out on a lake for a while. Later, Tunney is boarding tlio Gellanca plane and will fly to New York. Tunney states that ho will have his last meal before the fight at 3 p.m. He has adopted a drying-out process and will take no more liquids with his meals. THE LATEST REPORTS. GISBORNE, July 26. In connection with the HeeneyTunney fight, tlio following messages •were received to-night by the well-known radio operator, Mr Ivan O’Meara: SAN FRANCISCO, July 26.

it is a matter of record that this is Tunney’s first fifteen rounds bout as champion, both of liis clashes with Dempsey having been 10-round decision affairs. He is the first heavyweight champion to capture the title without knocking his opponent. Some observers believe that lie will knock out Thomas Heeney, of New Zealand, to-night. In the matter of weight. Heeney wall have ten pounds advantage. He figures to scale a little over two hundred pounds, while the champion expects to enter the ring at about one hundred and ninety-one pounds. The champion has one big advantage over his rival, outside of boxing skill. Ho has a reach of seventy-four and a half inches, against seventy-two inches for Heeney.—San Francisco Examiner. .NEW YORK, July 26.

The “New York Times” under date July 26, says Dempsey in a statement to-day said: ‘ Heeney has a wonderful pair of legs, and that he needs against Tunney. Jf 1 had Heeney s lo;r s (lie said) 1 could whip Tunney easily.’ ” . . •V crowd of sixty thousand people is expected to-night to sec. the champion risk his title at the Yankee Stadium. Tunney is a three-to-one favourite against the rugged New Zealander, lmt the betting is light.

KAP.MERS’ good WISHES. WELLINGTON, July 27. The Farmers’ Union conference today forwarded the following cable tc Tom Heeney: “Heeney: Heeney-Tun-ney fight, New York: ,Now Zealand Farmers’ Conference hope's you win. Good luck! Poison, President.” BOTH MEN IN FORM. Australian Press Assn.—United Service r ßeceived this day at 10.15 a.m.l VANCOUVER-, July 20. “ I have never felt better ill my life. If I am beaten I shall have no alibis to offer,” said Heeney on arriving at New York this afternoon. Shortly after Tunney arrived by the seaplane Challenger. - He rose early, clear-eyed and good-humoured, after a restful sleep. His handlers said he dropped into a sound slumber a lev moments after getting between the sheets last night at ten o’clock He ate a hearty breakfast of boiled eggs, fruit, toast and coffee. He ate hg i ly again this afternoon, before taking a nap, and is ready to go to the Yankee Stadium.

THE MEN’S "WEIGHTS. (Received this day at 11.15 a.m.! VANCOUVER, July 2G. The official weighing show:— Tunney lA2 lbs Heeney 203 Jibs. This is the most Tunney has ever weighed. He encountered Heeney just a,s he was emerging from the dressing room: “Hello, Tom old Boy,” he said cheerily, and they laughed and nodded to each other.

(Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) MONTREAL, July 26. Other details of the fighters are as follows: ,

Heeney. Tunney. Age ... 29 years 30 years Height ... 70J ins 73J ins Reach ... 72 ins 76J ins Wrist ... 8 ins 8J ins Forearm . 13 ins 18* ins Biceps ... 153 ins H ins Chest— Normal ... -13 ins *ll ins Exp. ... 17 ins 11 ins Waist ... 31 ins 34. j ins Neck ... 17 ins 171 ins Ankle ..: -9J ins 9 i»s NEW YORK, July 26

It now appears that Rickards’ statement that Dempsey would second Heeney may have been another ot the promoters trade of tricks to help the se its sales. It is known that ILc-ar. for the first time faces a heavy deficit o„ a championship bout due to the large guarantees to the figliteis, coupled with the structural costs ot alterin'* the stadium and incidental expenses! also State and other taxes; and he needs a huge last minute sau in order to break anywhere near even, which he is unlikely to get. This i. the first time in nine years that- the powerful drawing card, of Dempsey has been absent from the contest and it ' l, ns undoubtedly had a financial effect. The fact remains that Demp»e> has not vet applied for a second’s license despite Rickard’s assurance.