BOXING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 April 1928, Page 5

BOXING.

HEENEY IN ENGLAND. PROSPECT OF LONDON MATCH HOPELESS. 'TiVTTED TRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEG RATH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, April 12. ‘‘ I feel certain I will not disgrace New Zealand,’’ said Tom Heeney, in summoning up the prospect of his world’s title match .against Tunney. Heeney pays a tribute tn Tunney’s sportsmanship in selecting a foreigner from the three aspriants for the world’s title m'atch. He say's Tunney is a hundred per cent, better fighter than tlie American newspapers think. Heeney’s manager, Bernard Mortimer, is still making efforts to arrange the match in London, but he bolds out no prospect of success owing to the shortage of money and doubts as to whether the match here would do more than pay Tunney’s £160,000 leaving lii tie for Heeney. Mortimer said Heeney was not appreciated when he left England, where his indifferent form tv as due to poor health. The main thing Heeney learned in America was the value of constant and strict training. He addedr “It. ha s been my lifelong ambition to manage a 'British contestant for the world’s heavyweight title.” The American newspapers recognised that Heeney is big, strong and courageous but did not realise what Rugby football had done for his speed in footwork, said the man'ager. If Delaney and Sharkey held on in England as they did against Heeney in America they would be disqualified 20 times. Heeney looks still more a. footballer than a pugilist. He is unSearred *)f face and shows no trace .of a heavy year’s fighting. Heeney and .Mortimer sail for America on Wednesday. Heeney came by , air from Paris.