THE BIG FIGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 221, 16 August 1928, Page 3

THE BIG FIGHT

MANY EMPTY SEATS.

RICKARD’S LOSING VENTURE,

NEW YORK, July 26,

Tunney’s oft-proclaimed passion for solitude, yet more solitude, drew a stunning response in liis fight with Heeney. As expected, the crowd failed to appear; those who did come were late. Up to 9 p.m. 450 ushers had very little to do. There appeared only a thousand or two in Rickard’s £8 ringside benches, while Rickard’s business rivals in the commercial world gloatingly called attention to the losses that Madison Square must face on this occasion.

Physicians who examined the tall, bronzed champion and his stocky rival pronounced the condition of both as perfect. The Australian and New Zealand visitors were grouped together and obtained early recognition by making themselves heard. They got some satisfaction from the fact that Bill Raring, of the U.S. battleship Arkansas, a youthful edition of the big-chested Tom Heeney, took only one minute 50 seconds to blast the heavy-weight hopes of his opponent, Frank Lang, in the first preliminary of the evening’s entertainment.

HEENEY GREETS CHAMPION. At 9.30 p.m. Tex Rickard chewed a big unlighted cigar thoughtfully, gazing at an array of empty high-priced seats. He hoped that they would soon fill. Nobody could find any fault with the weather as twilight fell. The bleachers slowly grew black with the rising crowd, paying three dollars each, while the roofs of apartment houses, blocks away from the Stadium, had full quotas of optimistic spectators, who might or might not, see something for nothing. Heeney pushed his way through the guards at 9.45 p.m., stepping into vhe ring a minute ahead of Tunney. Both were given a grp at round of applause by the crowd. The New Zealander was accompanied by Hennessy and Eddie Harvey. Bernard Mortimer and Charles Harvey sat outside the ring with their coats off. Heeney Wore his Maori robe, sent by friends in far-off New Zealand. Tunney was accompanied by Jimmy Bronson, Billy Gibson, his managertrainer, Lou Fink and Lou Brix. Just as soon as Heeney saw the champion coming up the steps he met him in his corner. They clasped hands in friendly manner, and, while camera men 'were getting ready, Gene “kidded” Tom about his Maori robe.

“Where did you get it?” asked Tunney.

“I got it from home,” replied Heoney.

GRIME AND STEVE SMITH TO MEET’.

(Australian Press Association.)

NEW YORK, Aug. 14

Billy Grime is scheduled to fight Stove Smith on August 18 at Bridgeport, Connecticut.

HATTON AND HUGHES FIGHT A DRAW. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Aug. 15. Matt Hatton (Auckland), 8.12 i, fought a drawn bout with Archie Hughes (Australia), 9.5, over fifteen rounds to-night. A cut over Hatton’s right eye troubled him all the way through. The Australian established a lead in the early rounds, but the Aucklander improved considerably towards the end. The decision was very popular. Hughes paid forfeit for being over-weight. jKid Smith (Hastings), 9.2, took the verdict over Geo. Johnston (Melbourne), 9.5, over ten rounds. Johnston apparently had a clear cut victory and the decision was not well receivod.