"GAVE OF HIS BEST”

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 194, 14 June 1939, Page 4

"GAVE OF HIS BEST”

HEENEY—TRIAL HORSE HARD-ROCK QUALITIES TRIBUTE FROM THE STATES FIGHTER PAR EXCELLENCE . The former Gisborne boxer, Tom Heeney, has a secure place in the hearts of ring enthusiasts in the United States, and references to< his personality and records make good reading for Americans as well as for those who knew Heeney in New Zealand! and Australia. . *

Though he never reached the world championship, having been defeated by Gene Tunney when he wffs given a chance at the title, Tom Heeney is rated to-day as one of the great “trial-horses” of the sport—trialhorses being those against whom promising new talent is tried before .championship matches are arranged .j ,Prdf; motors have always had a stWong regard for the men who, though not. quite of championship calibre I t'henif' selves, can be depended on to? /extend the- champions, and to reveal any hbllow. spots in a contender for tifflp honours.

Drawing Capacity Essential .Writing in “The Ring,” an authoritative American journal dealing with boxing and wrestling, T. W. McNeil devotes an interesting article to the merits of outstanding trial-horses in the history of the* sport in the United States.. He points out that the real trial-horse is not only a good fighter, game to meet any of his class, but also must possess the capacity to draw the crowds..' Others might be forgotten after a few defeats, but the real journeymen of the ring game have their followings until the ,end of their ring careers.

In the list of.great trial-horses-, the. writer nominates Jim Flynn, the “Pueblo fireman” of the white hope eta ; Bartley Madden, a good solid son of Oldl Ireland who fought the best of them and never .suffered a knockout, until Gene Tunney came on the scene; Tom Heeney, New Zealand’s contribution to ring history; and Tommy Farr, present-day eliminator of false aspirants;-

Doggedi Determijpajtion Having dealt with Flynn and Madden, lie writes- of Heeney' as “lovable, old Tom,” and refers to hi S' years ol fighting in the Dominion and in Australia, and- his* rise to fame after visiting ..the, United States. . “He was far from being a spectacular performer, but his dogged determination, bulldog courage and amazing stamina earned him the plaudits of th&rmvt foil’s thousands,” the 1 writer •contiimgs.“With these as his chief .assets, Tom-Heeney moulded them in-

to a chance at the heavyweight title. “With Gene Tunney leading the parade, the ‘Solid Rock from Down Under’ had little or no chance of success. However, as in all his ring engagements, Heeney gave the best he had to offer. His failure cost him not one whit in popularity; other battles came his way, and some he won, some -he lost. In the, end the-old war-horse .had the good sense to quit before needless beatings had dimmed his mentality. To-day finds Heeney happy and prosperous in Florida’s sunny southland, content in the knowledge that he left the game better off because of his having been in it. “A wonderful character and a trial-

horse par excellence was Toni Heeney. Toe bad the game hasn’t more of his like.”-