HEENEY BROKE HIS THUMB

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

HEENEY BROKE HIS THUMB

INJUR Y RircEIVED DTTRING TRAINING. DEFEATED, BUT NOT DISGRACED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE. July 28. With considerable reluctance. Heenev’s parents have- been persuaded to release for publication a letter from Tom, which reveals that last month he sustained a badly broken thumb. The fact- was -suppressed by Heeney becausehe feared Tex Rickard would make it

an excuse to replace him in the title bout-. Tiie letter, which was written on June 19, states-: “A few days ago I broke a. thumb, and have not been able to train. 1 can’t let them know, ais they might get .someone- else. The trouhle- is J don’t know how it will go when j start training, liecau.se- the bone will he liable to break again. A doctor told me I had broken it before and it had not been set right-.” Heehey’s parents l listened to the broadcast description over Mr. O’Mea-r’s set, sitting -silent and motionless throughout and receiving the verdict with m smile. Tom’s voice from the ringside was clearly distinguished. Mortimer's' message to them from Tom through the microphone was most encouraging: “Kia ora. coming through like a cheer.” A subsequent message from Tom by wireless- stated: “Very sorry unable to win. hut you folks at home will know that I did mv best. I have been defeated, hut not hint. Love to all.” Tom’s parents had little comment to offer on the result. “One of them had to lose,”' said Mrs. Heeney. “We would have liked him to win, hut he did his best ’and that’s all we- could expect. Still, we have every reason to he proud of him.”