TUNNEY RETIRES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 208, 1 August 1928, Page 7

TUNNEY RETIRES

CHAMPION’S ANNOUNCEMENT.

NO DANGEROUS OPPONENT IN

SIGHT.

BOXING HAS NOTHING FURTHER TO OFFER.

(United Press Association.; —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Australian Press Association.—United Service.) Received August 1, 8.45 a.m. NEW YORK, July 31. Gene Tunney, the world’s champion heavyweight boxer, announced to-day his retirement from the ring. Tunney made the announcement at a luncheon he gave to Mr Tex Rickard, the well-known fight promoter, and Mr William Muldoon, chairman of the New York State Boxing Commission. The champion expressed gratitude for all boxing had done for him, and said: “I have louglit ihy last bout as a professional boxer.”

Tunney went on to explain: “There is no contender at the present time in sight capable of attracting real public interest. If there were 1 might delay my retirement long enough to face him in the ring, but it looks as if it might be two or three years before a dangerous opponent develops. That is too long to stand and wait.”

Tunney paid high tribute to Mr Rickard and then concluded:—

“The time has come when professional boxing can offer me nothing further than 1 desire. I am putting it behind me, grateful for the benefits it has conferred, but with the that I am still young enough to make a new start in other fields.”