“MINE HOST” HEENEY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 171, 19 April 1939, Page 4

“MINE HOST” HEENEY

TOM AT- MIAMI BEACH THINKING OF GISBORNE HOME JOURNEY SOME DAY “I met the ‘hard rock from under’ for the first time 11 years ago, when lie was in training for his memorable light- with Gene -Tjunney. - Now, after more than a- decade, I have niet the popular Tom -Keeney again. He is in Miami Beach, Florida, in tire heart of America’s tropics,” writes. 1. Q. Gross, a well-known sports commentator, in an article published by the Australian Referee. “The New Zealander was a -'powerful man that- day in his camp at Fairhaven, New Jersey. He was the toughest and most rugged fellow 1 ever' met in the fighting game, despite the fact that T\inney gave him a beating. “It- is a far cry from his fighting days, for Heeney now owns a tavern where people from all over the United States come to talk over the old days, and: Heeney makes- a popular host, ior he is always considerate, and treats his friends in royal manner Tom’s Fight With Tunney. “I remember his fight with Tunney vividly. The newspaper experts criticised the making Of the match tack in 1925. They said fteeney was hot smart enough to be placed in the same ring with the champion. But Heeney was determined. His courage was well known. If he lost, he would go down fighting like- a man should when faced with defeat. I’m really inclined to believe that Heeney thought he had a chance that night 11 years ago." “When I spoke to Tom, the-other day, he was gladi to meet me, for we were great pals in his training for Tunney. As we talked over old times, he gave me , soma . interesting facts on his fight with Max Baer in the days before Baer became champion. Miscount at the Ringside. “You will recall that Baer always had the reputation of being a clown, and one who liked the night life,’ said Tom. ‘When he came into New York, he was hailed as a coming champion. He had a marvellous physique, and looked like a bronzed god. They wanted him for a champion, and gave him several opponents they thought lie could! beat. “Baer fooled around too much, and lost to Ernie Schaff, • and Tommy Loughran. They they matched him with me. How well 1 remember that night. “ ‘1 won the first round easily. Max was wild as wild can he:. 1 fooled him by close in-fighting. Max couldn’t touch me, and I was confident that 1 could win easily. Jack Dempsey, the great Dempsey himself, was the referee. “ ‘But- something strange happened in that second round. I slipped out of the ring when Baer pushed 1 me, and I was a little off balance. 1 fell in; the press box, where all the reporters were. Naturally the fall surprised me, and I was stunned. I tried toclimb back into the ring as fast as I could under thq circumstances. “ ‘Dempsey had already counted to four. Five, .six, seven, eight. My mind was clear again, and I jumped up. The fight was ready to go on, because Dempsey gave us the nod to ■come in fighting again. >

Arthur Donovan’s Error. “‘The greatest surprise of my/life took place right at that- moment. Arthur Donovan, who referees all t-lie important fights in New York now, happened to be the knock-down timekeeper He said the fight was over.’ : “‘I was dumfounded. 1 knew that I had risen at eight. Dempsey talked to Donovan for -several minutes. • “,‘X lost that fight that night because Donovan bad his pants caught on a chair when he jumped up. to start the count. He bent down to. release his pants, and when lie rase he started to count a*t four, figuring that four seconds had elapsed during the delay. Tfhat’s strange, but it’s true!” Dlscus'srhg Tlinfj£y, Heeney remarked! : “‘Ah, there fwat a fighter. I think he was th<s ’cleverest fighter that ever lived/ and he was a terrific .puncher. I never knew why lie was A never /popular with the fans. Perhaps because lie was a business man in addition to being a sportsman. Modern Heavies a Poor Lot. “ Tunney would have given Joe Louis a beating.-” Gene would be too smart for Joe Louis at all times. Ho knew more tricks than the negro battler. Joe Mould be puzzled. Tunney would make him look like a fool.” “ ‘Do you ever get the desire to make: a come-back?’ ” I a-skedM/mi. “ ‘Yes, now and then I' : 'ge't‘ tile'urge*” when I think how poor the modern heavyweights are. I think I could beat most of them. But on second thoughts, I’m better off here. I have a. good business,/andi I like this, pleasant climate. 1 don’t- have to keep in strict training all the time. And any time"! like, I go out on the beautiful beach here and take a sunbath. “ ‘Wliat about a return trip to New Zealand and Australia/ ” Tom was asked. r ' “.‘Yes, I wairtkio see nyy old friends -tlier-e. As soon as -1 gets, tlie. ■;»«* I’m going to make the trip. But tell lhy friends I’m glad to bo out of the fight game. I’nFliving a pleasant lifqA and enjqy it, too*.’ ” -