Referee Stops the Contest.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 July 1928, Page 5

Referee Stops the Contest.

CHALLENGER’S UPHILL TASK TUNNEY’S GREATEST BATTLE NEW ZEALANDER FIGHTS ON GAMELY (United Press Association -Cy Electric Telegraph copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) NEW YORK, Jfoly 26. Gene Tunney defeated Tom Heeney In the fight for the world’s championship to-day, the referee stopping the bout in the eleventh round and saving the New Zealander from a knock-out. It was a new Tunney who defeated Heeney, and one who has developed a skilled instinct that critics said he never possessed. Tunney scored a technical knock-out over Heeney, which would undoubtedly have been an actual one if the referee had permitted the fight to continue. The plucky challenger was almost cut to pieces by the terrific mauling the champion gave him, but he put 'up as game a fight as has ever been seen in this country and refused to give in until officially compelled to do so. Tunney was a very different man to the one who defeated Dempsey by a decision, and far more dangerous than he had ever previously proved himself. It was easily the greatest fight of Tunney’s career, and the victory was scored over an opponent well worthy of his steel. Although he held a wide lead on points he did not bring the fight to a head until the tenth round, when he hooked and jabbed the challenger’s body and rapped terrific blows to the head. Tunney sent Tom to the floor just before the end "of the tenth round, and it was evident he never would have risen in time had the bell not saved him. He appeared unable to leave the canvas. The seconds rushed out and dragged him to his corner, and it was with greatest difficulty they roused him Sufficiently to continue in the eleventh. Tunney’s second was then urging him to go in and finish Heeney immediately. The referee appeared almost decided not to let the bout start in the eleventh round but, after consulting the judges, he permitted the challenger to make one more effort. Curiously enough, Heeney appeared fully revived, biit after a very little more fighting it was obviously impossible for hlmi to continue, and the referee took the only course open to him. Throughout the bout, and especially towards the end, the crowd applauded Heeney most generously for his courage.