HEENEY GETS IT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1928, Page 7

HEENEY GETS IT.

MATCH WITH TUNNEY Promoter's Hand Forced By Authorities. MAY MEET IN LONDON. j (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) (Received 9.30 a.m.) !

NEW YORK, April 1. Driven into a corner by the Boxing Cojnmission Mr. Tex Rickard announces that Tom Heeney's challenge to Gene Tunney has been accepted. He responded to pressure, riot only trom the Commission, but also from iunney, who believes that the New ~jealander n °t only has fairly earned the right to a fight, but is actually the best man in sight in the entire heavyweight class.

The decision was announced- yesterday by Mr. Tex Rickard, at Miami Beach, Florida, that the New Zealand boxer, Tom Heeney, will meet Genj Tunney in July for the world's heavyweight championship. The match' will probably be in London.

Heeney's rapid rise to fame, which has led to the championship match, is considered to'be one of the most unusual in the history of the ring. Less than a year ago he seriously contemplated returning home, never thinking he had a chance against American boxers. But after his first bout on the Pacific Coast he quickly achieved an important standing, and now, after only nine contests in America, he is within reach of premier honours. His record includes 33 contests in which he won 16 decisions, 10 knock-outs, four drawn bouts and three losses. The New Zealander was penniless 12 months ago, but now he is reported to have, accumulated £25,000. He is expected to realise at least £60,000 more from his bout with Tunney. He is virtually certain to accumulate £200,000 before he leaves America if he makes a good showing in the coming bout, and if he wins he will probably make a large fortune before he retires. , —(A. and N.Z. and Sydney "Sun.")