BOXING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 22 May 1928, Page 5

BOXING

HEENEY V. TUNNEY MA.TCH

OPINION IN AMERICA

(By Telegraph.—Special to "The Mail")

AUCKLAND, This Day. "Opinion generally right through the United States is that Tom Heeney will • beat Gene Tunney," said no less an .-_■ authority than R. Lean, manager of the Melbourne Stadium, a through passen-.--ger by the Aorangi. . Continuing, Mr Lean, said it was ~ simply a "case of Heeney being the stronger, more aggressive and harder fighter than the champion. He .was a....' man who could assimilate any amount- • of punishment, whereas Tunney cannot stand much punishment, and relies on his speed and cleverness to keep out of . trouble. A good deal ni discussion was .. going on in the United States at the present time in regard to Tunney's style of making full use of the whole- - ring. That style of fighting was unpopular in the States and there was a move in the direction of framing regulations which would have the effect of 7*„ making Tunney stand up and fight. If these regulations were framed, the. ddds were that Heeney would %vin. Sportsmen of note who have seen both Tunney and Heeney fight told Mr Lean - that Tunney will never hurt Heeney,.. *. whereas the latter will crowd in' and punch and punch, and take all that is going. .. . The Americans have been greatly lm- - pressed by Tom Heeney's aggressiveness, strength and courage, and gene- . rally, said Mr Lean, they expect to hail" a new world's champion before the. present year is out." "New Zealand, at the moment, is being placed cni the map by her boxers," said Mr Lean. Heeney, Purdy and Leckie were three whose names came readily to the mind. They were . earning honours outside of their own countrv and thus advertising New Zealand. GRTME IN AMERICA - Referring to Billy Grime, the great Australian who went to America, Mr Lean said he was staying on for a couple more contests. He was £SOOO out of pocket, but was now in the. hands of Walk Miller, one of the greatest boxer managers in the States, and he thinks he can make something out of Grime. He has hopes that he can ' bring him up to championship class.