Heeney Referees Boxing Tournament

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 161, 9 July 1943, Page 3

Heeney Referees Boxing Tournament

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) NEW CALEDONIA. June 27.

New Zealander Tom Heeney, serving with the Allied Forces, refereed the finals of a boxing tournament held in one of New Zealand's areas in New Caledonia recently. Just returned from a trip to New Zealand, Tom Heeney was delighted to mingle with the Dominion troops, arid the reception they accorded him revived memories of those days in 1927-28 when Heeney was doing so well for himself in the boxing ring.

Those who competed in this tournament were among the best boxers in the Division, as it so happens that this particular area numbers in its sporting men a big proportion of former participants in pre-war days in New Zealand. • Wild and heavy hitting characterised the bout between R. T. Hawkins, Hokianga, and V. Barnao, Palmerston North. Barnao, a Manawatu champion in 1936, has retained the strength of his punch, but lost a lot in fitness. However, he was too strong for Hawkins in the heavyweight division. Results are as follows: — Feather-weight: W. Lewis, Bst 121bs, beat W. A. Gamble. 9st on points. Welter-weight: R. Purdie, lost 21b., beat J. Comerford, lOst on points. Middle-weight: J. A. Pratt, list 41bs, beat J. A. Ward, lOst 131bs on points. Light heavy-weight: D. Crookston, list lib, beat L. E. Dodd, 12st 61bs on points. Heavy-weight: V. Barnao, 14st 71h£, beat R. T. Hawkins, 13st Gibs on points.