HEENEY'S HEROISM

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 9

HEENEY'S HEROISM

NEW YORK TRIBUTE. " Upheld British Tradition To The Last." TUNNEY'S APPRECIATION. (Australian and X.Z. Press Association.) (Received 9.30 a.m.) •NEW YORK, July 27. Tom Heeney to-day is greater in defeat than before he fought Tunney. It is not too much to say his Wonderful fighting heart and superb courage literally astounded the American people, and all newspapers ring with his praises. The following cxccrpts are typical:— "At the end of the slaughter Tom Heeney still stood heads above the gamest man around here in many a day." Another critic says: "The man from far-off Gisborne marched to defeat with head bloody but unbowed, and upheld British tradition by facing his foe to the last gasp." Heeney's refusal to make excuses, coupled * with his honest tribute to Tunney, also endeared him to sportsmen and the general public here. Commenting on the light Tunney said: "Heeney put up a wonderful light and was a, worthy challenger. 1 have nothing but admiration for his courage." Heeiiev's tribute was: "Gene Tunney is a wonderful tighter. lam not satislied with tlie tight I put up. In the fifth round a piece of eyelash turned back into my left eye, and, I could not see after the sixth round. Gene beat me fair, though, and he is a very clean lighter." "LIKE A TRADESMAN." i New Yorkers Acclaim Their Townsman. TUNNEY UNMARKED. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) NEW YORK, July 27. Commenting upon the Heeney-Tunney contest, James Dawson, sporting expert of the "New York Times," says: Gene Tunney came into his own last night. He was fighting in defence of the world's heavy-weight title for the first time in his home town. He is the first heavy-weight ring monarch New York has known to have hammered Tom Heeney into submission in 11 rohnds of a scheduled 15 rounds struggle. The plaudits of the crowd of about 40,000 spectators rang warmly in Tunney's ears in acknowledgment of the conquest he had scored with all the method and system of a highly-skilled workman.

Dudley Nichols, in the "New York World," says: Tunuey yjroved his right to the heavy-weight title last night •.vhen the referee stopped the championship bout eigh£ seconds before the end of the eleventh round and led the wobbling New Zealander to his corner. The referee's action just prevented Tunney from demonstrating some applied poetry. The champion had sent six lefts straight to the New Zealander's face, which was bleeding so that the hitter was half-blinded.

C'ofitiimin<r, the writer says: Heeney, gamely pressing an uplii! 1 light, went to pieces in. the 10th ronnd, which terminated with a hard knock-down just before the {long sounded. Tunney fought like a champion and his face and body were unmarked at the finish except for splotches of blood which had fallen rii him from Heenev's crimson face. But Heeney won the crowd from the com.mencement when lie bored in, grimly smiling, with head lowered over his shaggy, deep chest.

A BROKEN THUMB. Feared Match Would Be Called "Off." PARENTS' REVEAL SECRET. (By 'Telegraph—Special to "Star.") GISBOKXE, -this day. The secret is out, and Gi.--borne people now know that when Tom Ileeney began his training for the Tunney fight he was hampered by a broken hand. Letters from Heeney to his parents and relatives, written on June lf>, stated that he had broken his thumb, which effectually prevented him starting real training for the championship battle until well after that time. Heeney stated further that he had kept the injury dark as otherwise he might injure his prospects for getting the tight with the champion. "If they knew they might get somebody else to tight T.unney," he wrote. "They keep pestering me to start, but God knows what will happen when I do," he added. Tom's relatives kept the secret well, as they feared that some hint might leak back to the United States and spoil the arrangements for yesterday's match. Heeney feared that American Pressmen would get hold of the news and play it up. It is difficult to estimate how much the injury affected his training, but it is certain that Heeney was determined to let nothing defeat his entry into the I ling with the champion. Gisborne folk are not downcast about j the result, realising that Tom fared almost as well as Dempsey against Tunney. DID HIS * BEST. DEFEATED BUT NOT HURT. (By Telegraph.—Press - Association.) GISBORNE, this day. Heeney's parents listened to the broadcast description at Mr. O'Meara's, sitting silent and motionless throughout and receiving the verdict with a smile. Tom's voice from the ringside was clearly distinguished, and Mr. Mortimer's message to them from Tom through the microphone was most encouraging, "Kia ora" coming through like a cheer. A subsequent message from Tom by wireless stated: "I am very sorry I was unable to win, but you folks at home will know I did my best. I have been defeated, but not hurt. Love to all." Tom's parents had little comment to offer. "One of them had to lose," said Mrs. Heeney. "We would have liked him to win, but he did his best, and that's all one cculd expect. We still have every reason to bo proud, of him."