HEENERY-UREN “BATTLE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5346, 5 December 1919, Page 5

HEENERY-UREN “BATTLE”

WIN FOR THE CLEVER AUS-

TRALIAN

GISBORNIAN GIVES UP IN THE NINTH ROUND.

PLUCKY FIGHT AGAINST BIG ODDS.

Press Association Telegram. WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. Ur on, the Australian middle and welter-weight champion, 'defeated Johnny Heeney (of Gisborne), who gave up in the ninth round.

HEENEY'S MAGNIFICENT SHOWING.

EAR SPLIT IN FIFTH ROUND

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, Dec. 4 The Town Hall was crowded to-night to its utmost capacity for the fight between Tommy Uren, welter and middle-weight champion of Australia, mot Johnny Heeney, of Gisborne, and the holder of the middle-wight chnmpionsijip of New Zealand. UrUi gave a wonderfully clever expositicai of the science of boxing, but Heeney put up a magnificent fightr In the initial rounds Heeney was at times aggressive to a degree, but as time were on Uren's knowledge of ringcraft prevailed. When he liked CTron had no difficulty in keeping out of harm’s way, but he showed no objection to mixing it with the solid, keen Gisborne champion. He had all the best of most of the break-aways. countering Keeney's attempts to swing with sudden, hard half-arm blows. In the fifth round ‘Heeney had the misfortune to have his ear split, and suffered very great pain throughout the rest of the battle. Particularly in the seventh and eighth rounds Uren fought ward and landed I many blows that were disconcerting to Heeney, who in the circumstances very wisely gave up in the ninth round. The opinion is held by those who witnessed the Clabbv-Heeney fight that Heeney in his battle with Uren did much better. If it had not been for the injury which he sustained he would certainly have done even better. Still much credit is due to Uren, who, despite being much lighter, was throughout confident, and never got into serious difficulties. It was one of the finest contests ever seen in the Empire City.