HEENEY CONFIDENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 9

HEENEY CONFIDENT

“WILL NOT DISGRACE NEW ZEALAND” BIG FIGHT WITH TUNNEY (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association) LONDON, Thursday. The New Zealand boxer, Tom Heeney, summing up his prospects in his forthcoming match against Gene Tunney for the world’s heavy-weight, title, said: “I feel certain 1 shall not disgrace New Zealand.” He paid a tribute to Tunney’s sportsmanship in selecting a foreigner from the three aspirants for the worlds title. Heeney says Tunney is 100 per cent, a better fighter than the American newspapers think. Heeney’s manager, Mr. Bernard Mortimer, is still trying to arrange the match in London, but holds out no prospect of success, owing to a shortage of money. He doubts whether a match in London would do more than pay Tunney’s purse of £160,000 and would leave little for Heeney. Mr. Mortimer said Heeney was not appreciated when he left England, where he was in indifferent form, owing to poor health. The main thing Heeney had learned in America was the value of constant and strict training. “It has been my ambition all my life,’ he said, “to manage a British contestant for the world's heavy-weight title. The American newspapers recognise that Heeney is big, strong and courageous, but do not realise what Rugby football has done for his speed and footwork. If Delaney and Sharkey held on in England as they did against Heeney in America, they would be disqualified 20 times.’ Heeney still looks more liko a footballer than a pugilist. His unscarred face shows no trace of a heavy year’s fighting. Keeney and Mortimer will sail for America on Wednesday. Heeney came by' air from Paris and fell asleep, although they passed through three thunderstorms. He was awakened at the Croydon airdrome.