BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 23

BOXING

Br "AENEAS"

TOM HEENEY UNSPOILED BY SUCCESS HIS LIFE IN NEW YORK When Tom Hceney, the New Zealand heavy-weight champion, left England a year or so ago, he, was a modest, determined, quiet-living sportsman without much of a record to his name. Ho has come back (writes "The Post's" London correspondent under date 18th April) a world-fanied boxer and a fairly rich man, and lie is still tho modest, determined, and quiet-living sportsman. Success has doiinitely improved the Now Zealand boxer.-Ho has not lost his simple habits, but ho has acquired a. poise and confidence and dofinite opinions about a host of subjects which make him a charming personality. So many boxers, so many actors, so many artists who achieve success drift into hopeless egoism, and they cease to be of any interest froma social point of view. Tom Heeney has developed in the other way..His success and all his new experiences have made him a man of broad sympathies,' and lie can see the other man's point of view. . "I appreciate- what Tunney has done," he said, characteristically. "Ho has acted as v sportsman in agreeing to meet me. 110 had .several Americans' among his challengers to choose, from, but ho chose the foreigner. And ho knows that I am not the lemon of tho party.'' It was inevitable that wo should speak of boxing aiid Heeney's chances in the forthcoming world' championship, but Heeney was quito ready to talk of other things. I asked him in what way ho thought ho had developed whilo in America. Ho agreed that ho was capablo of more open fighting. The Americans will not stand for too much clinching. In his fights with Delaney and Sharkey there was a good dial of clinching, but it was not his fault. The main secret of his success, if in^ deed, there was a secret, was continuous and hard training, which was possible.in New York. „' At this point Mr. Bernard Mortimer (Heeney's manager) intervened.' "In America," ho said, "they have never recognised Tom's speed. They have never given him credit for his footwork. I am personally convinced that it is his football experience which has given him his speed. " TUNNEY AS A FIGHTER. /'Tunney is a hundred per cent, better fighter than some people think ho is," > siad' Heeney, referring again to his prospective opponent. "It was Harry Greb who said that Tunney was tho only man who had given him a hiding. That was iii their fourth fight, ' and Grcb was afraid of no one. -Tunney will not bo like a Dclaney, who would lose heart if he got a hard hit on the chin." ' .','.. On the subject of tho number of rounds which will be fifteen, if fought in Now York, Heeney expressed tho opinion that no one wants to work forsovoii days a week if ho can workl six, but at the same time it would bo to his advantage if tho rounds numbered fifteen instead of ten. Although ho would fight hard from tho first round, it would" bo in tho later, rounds that ho would have a greater advantage over Tunney. Americans seem to have treated Hceney very well. "They are a wonderful people," said tho New Zcalander. VISIT TO PARIS. "They talk about tho rush and bustleof America," said Heene;', "but since I have been in London if has been nothing but rush and'bustle." This was apropos of the invitations ho a-nd his party had received here. At twenty minutes to twelve on a recent Saturday", ho had a request to attend a great charity entertainment in Paris on tho same night. How were they to get there? "Oh, go by air. The car for the aerodrome will be ready for yon at 12 o 'clock.'' Tho entertainment in Paris was organised by Marshal Foch on behalf of disabled soldiers. Heeney- was introduced to tho audience. During the week he was taken in hand by M. Cuny, the boxing export and the director of the Military Gymnasium He spent a good ,deal of time, at the gymanisum arid sparred with a number of the Senegalese. For propaganda purposes in America a number of films were.taken of Ilcehey going through his practice work. Tho Now Zcalander and his party also visited a number, of tho places,of interest in and about Paris. "I don't think I'll disgraco New Zealand," said Heency, finally. "1 will give of my best." APPEARANCE FOR CHARITY. . When in London Tom Heenoy appeared at a charity . boxing meeting at Brighton. The fixture was arranged by Mr. Harry Preston, councillor, sportsman,, and philanthropist, in aid. of the funds of the Royal Sussex Hospital. As a result of tho meeting Mr. Preston has been able to raise over £.3000, and undoubtedly tho New Zealand champion's presence added, considerably to the booking. Hceney is not able to pose nor box for exhibition purposes, but ho was very good-humoured in letting the public havo a good look at him in fighting kit. Some sporting writers allege they saw certain improvements in tho stylo and speed of the New Zealand champion, since ho was here before. Those improvements may certainly have taken place, but there was no opportunity of witnessing them in tho very brief exhibition bouts at Brighton. Heeney's opponet was Captain Ernest V. Chandler (British amateur middle-weight champion, 1912; British amateur heavyweight champion, 1914; and international heavy-weight champion, U.S.A., 1921). Each of tho: throe rounds lasted only a minute, and most of the time the opponents were at such.eloso quarters as to ■ prevent any real hitting. Cortainly, Heenoy apeared to bo in the finest condition and he moved splendidly. Ho had a most enthusiastic reception, and his physical appearance was certainly impressive. Ho refused tho customary chair between bouts, but leaned over the ropes chatting to someono just outsido tho ring. HEENEY'S CHANCES. ( "Heeney's chances .with Tunney (writes "Corinthian" of the "Daily Chronicle") are by no means so remote as some may think. "While admitting that I have seen nothing of Tunney except that which has appeared on the pictures, I think Heeney. has a fine chance —at least, a better chance- than any other heavy I havo seen on this side. Tunney taught me that his. method of attack is destitute of versatility. Ho relies almost sotely upon a left lead and a right follow—it -was one, of something liko a hundred attempted right follows which put Dempsey to the floor. ."Now, consider Heency's stance. Ho spars with body bent to his own right, and thnt means that his chin is far away from a right-hand blow by his opponent. Heeney is a boxer who draws tho left lead and then positions himself to bo particularly cautious about the right which is intended. I think Tunney will find it very difficult indeed to land his favourite blow, the

right, on the New Zealandor's chin, Heeney's natural stance makes that hard, and there is no shadow of doubt about his pluck. Heeney. is a boxer who draws leads, and then tears iii and scores points at close quarters. "This excellent New "Zealandcr can gof through 15 rounds doing that. In order to make sure of winning Tunney will have to box in a manner very different from that he adopted in his contest with Dempsey." MESSAGE FROM HEENEY. ' "Will you tell tho people of Gisbonic that although I have been away a long time I have never forgotten them, and that I-hope before long to be back among them? Tell them that the big fight takes place on 2Gth July, and I am training hard for it. I am feeling very fit, and Gisborno is not going to be disgraced." This message was sent by Tom Hoeney by, wireless through an American wireless operator, to Mr. B. J. Patty, a well-known Gisborne wireless amiietur. Three of Tom's brothers, • Jack, Arthur, and Pat, have arranged to be in: Now York for the big fight on 2Gth , July. It is stated that Tom has promdsod to inquire if there is a possibility of Jack Heeney getting a match in one of the preliminaryvfights to the world's championship contest. The Manawatu Association. The Manawatu Association is to be congratulated upon tho progress it is making this season. During the past couple of seasons it suffered the loss of many of its members, who have left the district. A live executive, composed of new blood with a blending of the fine sports who have kept- the sport going during happier times, has been elected, and it is out to put. the' Manawatu Association right on the pugilistic map again. ' The Manawatu Association lis opening the season with a professional contest for a purse of £100 between Nelson M'Knight, of Auckland (challenger), and Harry Casey, of Christchurch (holder), for tho middleweight championship of New Zealand. This contest takes place on 4th June.. Casey's record as an aggressive fighter is well known. M'Knight, after a successful tour in America, suffered from an. unfortunate decision in Auckland last Friday. But it must bo remembered that the contest was of two-minute rounds, that M'Knight was a trifle stale, and seemed to have one of those "off"'nights that all athletes aro subject' to. He has been found a job at his trade in Palmerston North, and will, permanently reside there. Arrangements have been made for him to train in Bob. Merritt's gymnasium, where he will open- a school. Several other country places have already promised him good support in tho- way of pupils. Tom Firth has a good school in Feilding, including Hepburn, the exHastings middleweight. Jack Crowley has thirty boys in taliiatua, and has been, promised fifteen in Woodville; and twenty in Eketahuna. "' It has definitely been decided to form a boxing club in Pahiatua under, the auspices of ' the Manawatu Boxing Association. ' , I Altogether,- the game is looking up, an/I a fine tourney is assured for 4th June. , , .Otago's Activities. Recognising the difficulty of arranging by cable for suitable matclnte for Johnny Lcekio with Australian featherweights, the Otago Boxing Association, in accordance with tho progressive polick that has marked its' activities during the past few. years, has made a forward move, and decided to despatch Mr. Jack Kilmartin, th'c well-known referee, to Australia for the purpose of I

.endeavouring to obtain the services of lending Australian boxers to fight in Dunedin under the auspices of the Otago Association. Leckie is undoubtedly the best drawing card in New Zealand ■at the present time, and the Otago Association lias been most fortunate in getting Leckio to sigii articles to engage in a series of contests under its aegis. Naturally, Kilmartin's chief objective will be the finding of suitable- opponents for the New Zealand featherweight champion, but in addition, ho will search around for, likely men in other divisions i-o appear in Dunedin. .It ia quite on the cards that the ex-Dunedinite,. Lachio Mac-, donald, middleweight champion of Australia, will bo booked up to appear in Dunedin when he returns to New Zealand 'on a short visit. There is quite a possibility that, as a result of Mr. Kihnartin's trip, Tommy Barber will be able to come to New Zealand very shortly, and his meeting with Leckio will'be something to. anticipate., Without doubt the Sydney boxing authorities want Leckie over there, but the Otago ,Association is to be commended on its efforts to find opportunities for the Dunedin lad to meet in his own home town. No bar is placed upon New Zealand boxers who 'Wish to- visit Australia, and Australian controllers should reciprocate accordingly. ,Charlie Purdy will fight here, and Harry Casey will ■ probably be matched against Lachio Macdonald. Mr. Kilmartin left. Wellington yesterday for Sydney. Tribute to Leckie. . ' Before leaving for Australia yesterday, Mr. . Harry, Dawsoit, trainer of "Billy" Melton, paid a fine tribute to thg New Zealand featherweight champion, who had'met and defeated Melton in two contests in AVellington. "Leckie is a real champion," said the wellknown Australian instructor, "and I do. not think that there is a;featherweight I know of to beat'him. i.Hc is a wonderfully good fighter, and seems to be n, pretty heady boy. Of course, lie still requires a little more experience, but ho is young yet, and he has improved with every fight." Coming from a man of Mr. Dawson's knowledge and experience of the game—in his time he fought many well-known men .'» of the ring, and he has since had an exceptionally largo, number, of boxers of all classes in his charge—this tribute is a very fine,one indeed. Melton Sails For Sydney. In view of the showing made by Billy Melton,' "tlic Australian featherweight,, against Johtmio Leckio last week, the fight between him and Tommy Griffiths at Napier, arranged for Wednesday was concclled., Melton left Wellington yesterday by the Maunganui for Sydney, but it is stated that he intends to return to the Dominion in a few months' time. M'Knight-Hay Contest. The bout between Nelson M'Knight, who recently returned from ,America, and Artio Hay at Auckland had a dra-, -matie finale. The contest ended in the fourteenth round, Ecferee Meale counting out M'Knight and raising Hay's glove aloft. Immediately there was an uproar of surprise and dissension from a considerable body ,of the very 'large audience. „ . Commenting q,n the fight a writer in the Auckland "Star" said that it. did not in,any respect go according to anticipations. At the moment the referee crowned Hay there was the officially "knocked out" M'Knight on his feet alternately protesting and doing a sprightly pirouette in evidence that ho was master of himself,, while the whole b.dy of the audience rose, many of them yelling ' either in protest or in accord. Undoubtedly the decision camo as a surprise,, for M'Knight, after going down to a right cross to the jaw, Was obviously waiting on hand ,;and knee' preparatory to rising when he had

taken advantage of the count to eight or nine, and was rising when counted out. ■ • Seen, later in his dressing-room, M'Knight, .keenly disappointed- though, he was, made a fair and sporting statement. "There was a mistake .somewhere," he said. '"I'm not saying -Meale1 was wrong. I may have made the mistake, but I thought I got up at the count of nine, for I could have got up at 'three': and was just waiting." Clearly the referee ruled that at the count M'Knight had not got up. Ha was in the act of rising from left hand and knee, but whether or not he was late in getting his knee clear of the floor is the subject of highly conflicting opinions among the onlookers. Clqarly the referee had no doubt about it. So far as the boxing itself was concerned there was only one man in it for ..the first seven rounds, for Hay's clever footwork made M'Knight continually miss, while the Hawkes Bay lad scored repeatedly with left and right hooks to the head without getting any return., M'Knight was twice spoken to by the referee for holding,, and in the fifth round was cautioned clearly. for claiming. In the sixth round Hay's left and right hooks had his opponent dazed at the gong, but in the next M'Knight was as strong as ever. Then the Hamilton man started to force the issue,, and sent'a hard right swing to the body, while he showed footwork which hajd Hay missing. Ho also did some nice back-moving to Hay's strong leads, and scored hard to the ribs in the ninth. Next round M'Knight for the first time used a straight,loft effectively, and Hay's right eye began to show the result. The Hawkes Bay boxer had at this stage to go to defence. M'Knight,was now making a. fight of it, scoring with' straight jabs, but missing with his. heavy swings.- Early in the fourteenth M'Knight got his loft hard several times to Hay's, face, but- the latter dropped him with a right swing to the jaw. Up again at once, M'Knight was rushed to the ropes by Hay, who drove a left straight to the chin and brought over a right cross to the jaw, that sent the Hamilton lad to the boards. M'Knight got to one knee early in the count,, and was rising when he was counted out, and Hay crowned amidst uproar. At the time Hay was well ahead on points,-and M'Khight's only chance of the verdict would have been by a knockout in the final round, which on the previous boxing looked highly; improbable. Answers'to Correspondents. "T.L."—Billy Meltor fought Jackie Green at Wellington on 3rd April last.