TAKES TWO TO FIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 295, 5 March 1928, Page 1

TAKES TWO TO FIGHT

Heeney on Delaney Bout “COURAGEOUS NEW ZEALANDER” Press Association. “ IT takes two to make a fight,” said the New Zealand boxer, 1 Tom Heeney, in an interview in the ‘‘Boston Herald” after his fight with Delaney. ‘‘Sharkey is a much better fighter.” The interview was picked up by O'Meara, the well-known amateur wireless expert.

GISBORNE, To-day. Interesting comment regarding the Heeney-Delaney contest was transmitmitted Mr. I%'an O’Meara during the week-end by a wireless correspondent. Heeney, interviewed by the “Boston Herald,” declared that Delaney was not one-third of the puncher they said he was. “It was a terrible scramble,” he added, “it takes two to make a fight, and he held me at every turn. “Sharkey is a much better hitter. Delaney must have landed some good ones, but he never hurt me. It was the easiest fight I’ve had in America." The “Bostoß Evening Traveller" said: “After 15 rounds of hugging, clinching and pushing, Heeney was awarded the verdict. Heeney won by only the slightest margins, but was enough to remove Delaney as a serious threat for the heavy-weight honours. “As for the courageous New Zealander, he may upset all calculations, and by diijt of hard work and relentless attack, force himself into the title bout with Tunney. “He was picked to crumple before Sharkey and Delaney, Tex Rickard’s two leading heavy-weight contenders. Heeney has upset all Rickard’s plans.” HEENEY HAILED AS POSSIBLE CHAMPION

CHANCE TO MEET TUNNEY By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, Saturday. Newspapers acclaim Heeney's victory over Delaney and hail him as a possible British world’s champion. The “Dally Mail” says that Heeney landed In America almost penniless. His first three fights were of little value, but his others probably yielded £40,000. “If he meets Tunney,” the paper says, “he would be guaranteed at least £70,000. His last fight in England yielded him a tenner, plus the advice to give up the game. His largest purse there, £3OO, was accidental, when he deputised for Beckett against Scott.” The “Daily News” says that Heeney’s 'victory is a genuine Empire triumph. The New Zealander’s success is very popular In Great Britain, where he proved a game, sporting fighter. He does not possess a distinctive punch, but his toughness and indomitable spirit are abnormal. He has the best claim to oppose Tunney, who, however, possesses skill which Heeney lacks, in addition to Heeney’s powerfulness. One writer recalls that it Is just IS months since he saw Heeney sitting in a small inn on the outskirts of London, penniless and despondent about the future. He said he had been

offered a trip to America, but his luck was so had that he was frightened to go. Mr. John Mortimer, the boxing promotor, of Southampton, who took Heeney to America, says he does not believe Heeney will ever defeat Tudney. but he is likely to get the chance of trying to. “I hope so, if only to prove he is one of the gamest men who ever stepped into a ring,” added Mr. Mortimer. “New Zealand should be proud of him.” The paper, "Sporting Life,” says that when asked what the position would be if Dempsey should reconsider his retirement. Mr. Mortimer replied that in that event Dempsey and Heeney might meet in London, the winner to meet Tunney in New York in September. Mr. Elvin, managing director of the Wembley Stadium, said he had already been tentatively approached on the subject of staging a match for the heavy-weight championship of the world. The directors could not be the promoters, but would give the project very favourable consideration. A message from New York says Dempsey has definitely refused to get into condition before September, and perhaps not then. The talk of an opponent in June for Tunney is swinging back to Heeney. The latter received just over £B,OOO as his share of the takings in his match with Delaney.—A. and N.Z. BOXERS COUNTED OUT By Cattle.—Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Sunday. At the Sydney Stadium last evening Johnny Curley defeated Ades (Philippines) on points. Both men gave such poor and unscientific displays that the spectators hooted them and counted them out.—A. and N.Z.