ADVICE TO BOYS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 4

ADVICE TO BOYS

THE VALUE OF BOXING GENE TUNNEY SPEAKS “We Americans owe a great deal to England—to the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations, because of the traditions they have handed down to us.” This was said by Commander J. .J. (Gene) Tunney, of the. United Slates Navy, former world professional boxing championship, during an address given to an audience of about 3 500. including over 800 schoolboy boxers, at the" Auckland Town Hall. •An interesting episode at the gathering was the meeting between Commander Tunney and a boy named Tom Ileeney, a second-cousin of the Tom Heeney who fought Commander Tunney for the world championship.

“The traditions handed down in sports bring Americans and British fr.rfpj.hcr,” said Commander Tunney. “Wherever we have our true American representatives of sports, we find they get on very well with the British. t must except my own country, but there is more sportsmanship, in the British Commonwealth of Nations, per capita, than in any other nation.

Enthusiastic Reception

A very enthusiastic reception was given to the notable American when, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C Allum, and several officers of the United States Navy, he arrived in the hall. On the stage were the president of the Auckland Boxing Association. Mr. A. B. Joplin, and representatives of kindred sports bodies and local bodies. Extending a welcome. to Commander Tunney, the Mayor said it was a “red-letter day” for the boys. “The message I have is primarily for the'young boxers of the Auckland schools, to point out to them the value of the grand sport they are learning, said the commander. “What, we know about boxing we got from England m the first place. From there came the straight stance, with the left hand and left foot out, the straight jab and the straight blow from the shoulder. That style is still good, and. although such things as weaving and slugging have been added, if is the style I employed and did best with.” Need for Sportsmanship

Saying that there was more to boxing than .style, Commander Tunney maintained that the greatest skill was of no value if the possessor of it was not a sportsman, if he were a poor loser or an ungracious winner. Boxing developed spirit and courage and other qualities that went to make a good character.

The superiority of the professional boxer over the amateur was attributed by Commander Tunney to the hardships and drudgery of the training which the professional must endure and the sacrifices he must make. To him the amateur sport was the finest, because its finer fundamentals had not been spoiled by commercialismAfter recounting some of his ring experiences, illustrating how valuable lessons could be learned from defeat, he then told the boys that, in addition to skill, courage and fortitude, they must train to increase their endurance Three things must be “taboo to all athletes— smoking, alcohol and late hours “If you intend to be -champions,' you must first beat yourselves, he said.