BOXING RING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 16

BOXING RING.

HEENEY AND WORLD TITLE. NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD. The announcement made by the big American boxing promoter, Tex Rickard, that Tom Heeney will not meet Gene Tunney for the heavy-weight title is hard to understand. Some time ago Rickard definitely stated Heeney was to fight Tunney, who is signed for only one bout this year, in June, against the winner of the elimination tournament between Sharkey, Risko, Delaney and Heeney. Another aspect of the case is that the New York State Athletic Commission requires champions to fight at leaist once every six months, and Tunney's period of idleness finishes this month. Rickard expected to.have both Sharkey and Dempsey to meet Tunney, but Sharkey's qualifications are now considered at zero, and Dempsey has stated he will not fight for another six months yet, and probably not then, as he is having trouble with a muscle in his left eye. The whole situation appears to be governed by the financial side, and on that basis may be summed up. Dempso-y is a great drawing card and the others are not, even if they were opposite Tunney's corner. Alex. Robertson, of Gisborne, who is at present boxing in Australia, has been given a ring name of 'Jack. He defeated a 9-stone man, "Slack" Mahar, of Newcastle, recently, at Gosford, near Sydney. Mahar is considered one of the best feather-weights in the State, and has a record of 400 fights. The Napier fights last Wednesday between Hay and Smitheram and Palmer and Hughes were somewhat experimental for the association, it being the first time two welter bouts had been staged together, and also tho first time in connection with the refereeing that the referees' decisions were backed by those of two judges. Hay, lOst. 51b., defeated Smitheram, lOst. 21b., on points. The other professional bout, between Dave Palmer, lOst. 3lb. and Steve Hughes, lOst. 21b., finished in the sixth, Hughes going down to a hard right to the solar plexus. A medical examination after the contest disclosed that Hughes had sustained a sprained ankle, believed to have been received in the second round. This would account for his poor showing.

Thirty professional boxers have taken out licences during the past ten months. Of that number there are 24 New Zealanders who are able to obtain frequent matches.

Nelson McKnight, the Hamilton welterweight, who is at present in the United States, has, written to the effect that he is now under the management of Tim McGrath. McKnight says things are vastly different in America as compared with New Zealand. Big, well-equipped gymnasiums and numerous sparring partners are available over there. Sir, M. Faeoory, brother of Bert Facoory, who recently returned to Auckland from a trip to Australia, speaking of the Aucklanders, Trowern and Purdy, said they have improved greatly. Trowern, especially, he mentioned to be fighting like a champion, and his showing against the Melbourne champion, Barnes, was a treat to watch, and won him a great name. Purdy is very popular in ring circles in Sydney and is never lacking for matches.

TUNNEY'S HARDEST FIGHT. ADVICE TO SCHOOLBOYS. In what the headmaster characterised as one of the finest addresses to boys he had ever heard, Gene Tunney told the boys of the county school near his mother's home at RAverdak-on-Hudson that his hardest fight was not with Jack Dempsey or any other opponent but with himself, writes the New York correspondent of the HERAt,D. Turning to the smaller boys, Tunney said Don't pick up the bad habits of bigger boys, such as smoking and swearing. It is only bullies who swear, and they are always cowards. And smoking is a foolish habit, unhealthy and dangerous. I have never smoked. Remember, you little fellows, you do not have to be Imitators." The older boys he urged to learn scientifically about the mechanics of the body, and to go through life clean. There were rules for every gams, he said, and the game of life was no exception.