A TALK WITH HEENEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3802, 7 June 1928, Page 2

A TALK WITH HEENEY.

Tom Heeney, the New Zealand boxer, who has now been matched against Gene Tunney for the championship of the world, gave a representative of “The New Zealand News” some interesting details of his visit to Europe, and of his methods of training. He said;— “Wje have been hustling more than they do in America. We had twenty minutes’ notice that we were going to fly to Paris. The noise was so great that we couldn’t talk, so I went to sleep. They told me that we passed through three thunderstorms, so I was just as glad. The French gave us a great time in Paris, and I had to put in an appearance at a boxing tournament in aid of disabled soldiers and, also do some training work in a military gymnasium before a large number of Army men. We visited Fonteinbleau, Versailles, Longchamps, Auteuil, and the principal sights of Paris. In England I saw the Grand National and have been to one or two other race meetings.” “While I think there is no place like New Zealand for a young fellow there is no doubt that I would miss the life in America if I left it now. I like the people there too, for they have always treated me well —especially when they thought that I had been unfairly treated by referees. Training is easy in Ameriea, because all the facilities . are readily available, and you can choose sparring partners similar in style to your next opponent —which is a very big thing. Sparring partners cost 25 dollars for two threeminute rounds, so training is not cheap. In winter in' New York I get up at 7.30 but in summer I have to race the sun so I get up at 3.30 or 4 a.in. I do road-work before breakfast, at which I always eat plenty of fruit, as well as what is known as the usual English breakfast. No special work is done in the morning but at one o’clock I begin two hours’ gymnasium work. I have my second and last meal of the day at 5.30. I believe that two meals a day is enough for anybody. » My evening recreation consists of going to a cinema or the first part of a show, but I ain always in bed at 10 o’clock. When asked about his prospects against Tunney, he said: “I appreciate Tunney’s action in selecting me as his opponent, although I am a foreigner and not, in his opinion, the weakest of the three he had to choose from. Tunney is a hundred per cent, better fighter than he is given credit for. He belongs to the calculating type. Still I do not think I will disgrace New> Zealand. I have never been favourite in any of my lights yet. The story has always been that I would last 2, 3 or 4 rounds.