TOM HEENEY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1928, Page 1

TOM HEENEY

WELCOMED HOME. (By Telegraph-—Per Press Association.) i!t GISBORNE, September 13. This evening Tom Heaney was entertained by the citizens of Gisborne at a Welcome Homo dinnor, three hundred being present. The'proceedings wero most enthusiastic throughout. The principal toast was “ Our Guest,” proposed by tho Mayor, Air 1). W. Coleman.

In reply Tom Heoney expressed bis ploasuro at being once more in Now Zealand and particularly in Poverty Bay. Ho dwelt on his ring experiences in America, and paid a tribute to the Americans for their, sportsmanship. If a man produced the goods, it did not matter wlmt bis nationality. He was especially complimentary to Tex Rickard, who was a keen business man and would not put him (Hoeney) on in tho elimination bouts for the world’s title until bo bad made exhaustive 'inquiries.' He bad never missed so much before a scrap book containing accounts of bis contracts. Tex Rickard must have a man’s credentials before be would match him. He, therefore, bad lost no lime in getting a scrap book together. It bad never paid any strangler to squeal if lie lost. Wlmt lie (Hoeney) bad done was to take tilings philosophically, and soon the Americans began to say lie was not such a bad sort of fellow at all. As regards the championship fight be bad lost to Tunney fairly and squarely. There had been some wild talk in the papers to the effect lie bad accused Tunney of putting his thumb in bis eye. Where the story came from he did not know. Wlmt he did know was that lie (Hoeney) never put his .thumb in Tuniiey’s eye. He had never got near enough. As for the future, be intended to do bis utmost; to secure tho championship, and tho n\ngnificcnt receptions be was getting in the Dominion would have the effect of making him fight harder in future than in the past. (Lmd applause.)

TO BOX AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE, September 13. To-morrow evening, Tom Hoeney will make bis only appearance in the ring in New Zealand, when he will appear at the Gisborne Boxing Association’s Welcome Home Tournament, at which local amateurs, and also several from other centres, will compete.

Prior to the opening of the proceedings a welcome will bo extended to'loin and Airs Hoeney. Later in the evening Tom will be seen in a special exhibition bout with bis brother Jack, the ex-middle-weight champion of New Zealand.

Air Earle Stewart, the well-known referee from Wellington, through whose instrumentality Hoeney left Now Zealand for England, lias been specially asked to referee to-night’s bouts.