BEFORE THE BATTLE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 July 1928, Page 5

BEFORE THE BATTLE

DOINGS OF CONTESTANTS ODDS FAVOUR TUNNEY. BOTH] IN PERFECT CONDITION, "cited Pres 3 Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association —United Service.) NEW YORK, July 25. Tunney is reported to be manifesting uneasiness regarding the proposed flight to New York, states a message from Speculator. Fear lurkis in. liis mind that a mishap may occur, necessitating his taking train, in which case he would arrive at the fight tired and unable to offer Heeney his maximum ability. The champion threw liis traditional modesty to the winds to-day, declaring that lie was determined to knock out Heeney. Tunney appeared in good form at the final training, and watched the giant Sikorsky amphibian selected for the New York flight arrive at Speculator. Heeney spent a quiet day devoted to reading and conversing with his camp associates, states a Fairhaven message. No reference was made to the fight. The New Zealander exhibits remarkable poise, while Tunney is reported to be restraining his emotions with difficulty. In New York the betting odds vary. The champion still maintains a slight lead. * In compliance with the public demand, Tex Rickard lias reduced the price of tiie cheapest -seats, seven thousand of which were immediately sold.

She champion and challenger are corned to appear at Madison Square Garden at 2 p.m. on Thursday to weigh

Tex Rickard says that if the gate is a million dollars (£200,000) liis margin above production costs and taxes will Le little more than £20,000. The Federal and Sts*te taxes equal 250,000 dollars on a million dollar gate. Then there is £105,000 guarantee to Tunney and £20,000 guarantee for Heeney. The remainder is for printing, publicity and similar expenses.

FIGHTERS ARRIVE AT NEW YORK Received II a-.m. to-day. VANCOUVER-, July 20. “I have never felt better in my life. If I am beaten 1 shall have no alibis* to offer,” said Tleeney on arrival* at New York this afternoon. -Shortly after Tunney arrived by seaplane*. The challenger rose early, clear-eyed and good-humoured after a restful sleep. WHAT TUNNEY HAD FOR BREAK- • FAST. Rocicdvied 11 a.*m. fo-dtaiy.' VANCOUVER, July 26. Huiuney ’» band! errs* is*aiid itbcut. toe dropped into *a sound sleep a *ferw .(moments* after getting between the sheet® Hoist ni'ghit *at 'ten *o ’clock. He *alte a* hearty toreallofast of boiled eggs,, fruit, toast and coffee. Be *afe 'lightly again this aftennoom- before* taking a nap prior to getting ready to. go rto Yankee Stadium. TENNEY’S TRAINING WORK.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, July 26.

A. New York broadcast received by Mr. O’Meara states: Tunney is mow enjoying liis last sleep before lie faces Heeney, Yesterday Tunney did the last work-out. covering four miles of road work. He retired to bed at 10 p.m. and gave instructions that he be called at 8 'o’clock this morning. After a light breakfast he will go out on the lake for a while, later boai'ding a Bellanca ’plane to fly to New York. Tunney states that lie will have his last meal before the fight at 3 p.m. He has adopted the “drying-out” process and will take no more liquids with his meals.

HEENEY WILL HAVE ADVANTAGE OF WEIGHT.

OPINIONS OF OBSERVERS

GISBORNE, July 26. The following messages were received to-night by Mr. Ivan O’Meara, dated San Francisco, July 26: “It is a matter of record that this is Tunney’s first fifteen rounds bout as the champion, both of his clashes with Dempsev having been 10 round decision affairs. ‘ He is the first heavy-weight champion to capture the title without knocking out his opponent. “Some observers believe Tunney will knock out Tom Heeney to-night. In the matter of weight Heeney will have ten pounds advantage. He expects to scale a little over 200 pounds, while the champion expects to enter the ring at about 191 pounds. The champion lias one big. advantage over his rival outside o: boxing skill. He has a reach of 74 \ inches against Heeney’s 72. “The ‘New York Times,’ under date of July 26, states . Dempsey in a statement to-day said Heene.v had a wonderful pair of legs, and that is what he needs against Tunney. ‘lf I had Heenev’s legs,’ he said, ‘I could whip Tunney easily.’ “A crowd of 60,000 is expected tonight to see the champion risk the title at Yankee Stadium. Tunney is a three to one favourite against the rugged New Zealander, but the betting is light. . “The short ’wave stations that will broadcast the fight are 2NAF on 31.4 metres and 2XAD on 21.96 metres.”