HE SAW BOTH

NZ Truth, Issue 1182, 26 July 1928, Page 10

HE SAW BOTH

Ex-Ghamp. Favors Tunney (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Dunedin Rep.) One of the very few fighting men at present m New Zealand who have had any practical experience of boxing m America is Les. Murray. THUS he is probably m a better position than anyone else to give an opinion on to-day'a contest for yie world's title. When at the height of his career, Les. held the light-weight championship and with it the "Truth" belt. He tripped' off to the States to exploit his undoubted talents and try his fortune. , Les. was present at the flrst Dempgey_Tuhney fight and, . having also seen Tom Heeney m action, he declares .that the American will retain the tide. Before Dempsey and Tunney met for the first time m Philadelphia, all, or practically all of the critics guessed that when Dempsey started m on Tunney the challenger would be lucky to last two rounds. They pinned their colors on Dempsey's strength being sufficient to negative any attempt to master his attack. But when Tunney not only stood up to the Manassa mauler, but handed him a bad beating, the critics woke up to the fact that. Tunney was even stronger (han Dempsey. During the fight Tunney handled Jack as though he were a baby, hitting him at will. He is exceptionally fast, and clever and is bigger than Tom, said Lies., but he. could not possibly be any tougher or more gallant than Tom. "But with . extra speed, science, strength and size m his favor, I find it hard to believe that Tunney, world's champion, who'has beaten every man he has fought, can lose to our champion." Another significant remark made by the ex-light-weight was that Tunney is to-day the greatest drawing card m the world and Tex Rickard is no doubt living up to his deputation of protecting 'all,his best cards. "Much as we- would like to see Heeney bring home the coveted title, I find it hard to.picture him defeating the man who is one of the three greatest heavy-weights that ever lived." vL.es. conjectured that Heeney's strength, toughness and aggressiveness, supporting his unusual style, might help him to break through Tunney's superb defence, but having seen so much of Tunney at work he doubted the New Zealanders ability to cope with the champion. Murray.may be right, but most hope he is wrong. Napier's Night ON Monday night at Napier the Bay crowd will- see m action, two of the best ,boys m the country —Matt Hatton and Archie Hughes. The pair should make a wonderful fight. " There is also a ten-round pro. preliminary—Kid Smith against G. Johnstone. A lot of interest will be taken ih this bout. '* '-.■■• ' "— -_