Tunney Will be Favourite In American Betting Market

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 9

Tunney Will be Favourite In American Betting Market

A scientific and clever fighter, Gene Tunney, holder of the world’s title, which he secured from Jack Dempsey in September, 1926, has proved himself a great champion, a greater champion perhaps than he is generally given credit of being. He is considered the cleverest heavy-weight since Jim Corbett, and although not packing a one-punch knock-out, he has certainly shown that he can hand out severe punishment. Some of the American critics hold that Tunney will simply dazzle Tom Heeney with science, but, of course, that remains to be seen. When Gentleman Gene Tunney met Jack Dempsey he demonstrated that superiority of brainy boxing over the type of fighter possessing a terrific punch, but in reality only mediocre boxing ability. Only once was he caught napping in his two fights with Dempsey and that, which took place in the seventh round, is now ring history, and except for that one occasion he had the better of Dempsey all the way, although he was not sufficiently powerful to finish the one-time “Manassa Mauler.” THAT YEAR'S REST But Tunney is bound to find himself opposed to a tough, hard battler in Heeney. The question is, if a year’s rest from the ring has done him any harm? Has he lost his speed and can he prevent Heeney from getting in close and staying there? Or is he strong enough to keep Heeney away and treat him as he did Dempsey? Reports from America \have been chockful with information about Heeney, but not a great deal has been cabled about Gentleman Gene.

Had Tunney indulged in the pleasures of the world it could be said that he would have suffered from his long rest from the ring, but the champion, as all the world knows, is seldom more pleased than when delving in the realms of literature and during the past year this has really been his long suit and amusement. But in spite of various reports to the effect that Tunney has been hobnobbing with polite society and is not even mentally conditioned to meet so rugged a man as Heeney he has not neglected training, and has kept himself fit throughout, with light training: Thus his rest should not have done him a great deal of harm. The champion is one of the fastest heavy-weights—if not the fastest—that the world has seen. Quick on his feet, he punches like lightning with his long rapier-like left, and shoots across his right with incredible speed. His solid defence is difficult to penetrate at all times. ONLY LOST ONE FIGHT

But while New Zealanders feel confident that Tom Heeney will leave the ring victorious because he is hard and solid and has never suffered a knockout it must be remembered that the American Gentleman Gene Tunney has only lost one fight and that was when he met Greb in a rough and tumble

“go” in the old Madison Square Garden. Previous to 1924 Tunney, because or his weight, was not regarded as a potential king of the heavy-Aveights, but after he had built himself up to 1901 b or more he increased his prestige by knocking out Carpentier, Gibbons and Madden. His knock-out of Carpentier established him among the heavy-weights elect, his knock-out of Gibbons caused him to become a marked man, and he burnished his record by flattening Madden, another of those hardy perennials who never before had been wafted into dreamland. Johnny Risko and Dan O’Dowd were another two who crossed Tunney’s path before he whipped Dempsey, and won the title. A champion well worthy of the title is Gene Tunney. Kvery follower of boxing is familiar with the drama of Tunney’s first sue-

cess against Dempsey and with the drama of the second triumph over the “mauler.” In the first fight Tunney was a rank outsider and was not expected to last more than three rounds with Dempsey, but he managed to land a powerful right in the first round and from then on Dempsey took second place. In the second fight

Tunney was floored, but he managed to keep going and came out victorious. A champion well worthy of the title is Gene Tunney. If Tunney has retained his speed and strength of a year ago, it appears that he has only to keep Heeney at long range to win, for he has great advantage in height and reach over the New Zealander.