FAMOUS BOXER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 4

FAMOUS BOXER

COMMANDER J. J. TUNNEY RECEPTION AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE (P.A.) -WELLINGTON, Nov. 15. Boxing and other sports officials, as well as a number of New Zealand champions, were given an opportunity with members of the Legislature' and representatives of the services and the city of Wellington of meeting personally Commander J. J. (Gene) Tunney, former world boxing champion, at a reception tendered him at Parliament House to-day. The gathering was later photographed with Commander Tunney on the steps of Parliament House, and another photograph was taken of him and New % Zealanders who have won championship honours. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry, who presided, said he felt that Commander Tunney’s visit would give an impetus to the development in New Zealand of the movement for physical education for the benefit of individual and national well-being.

Commander Tunney, responding, said that in his opinion boxing was the noblest of sports. Wherever he went in his official capacity as director of the physical training programme in the United States Navy, the first .thing he looked for was a boxing ring. If there were not a ring, then the atmosphere in the camp was not masculine. When there was an omission of that kind he quickly ordered the erection of a boxing ring and punching bags. Commander Tunney paid <a special tribute to two New Zealand boxers, Bob Fitzsimmons and Tom Heeney.