BOXING

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 53

BOXING

RETURN OF TOM HEENEY. TO SEEK WORLD’S TITLE AGAIN. AUCKLAND, September 10. Tom Heeney’s arrival by the Aorangi was marked by extraordinary enthusiasm. He first received cheers of welcome from the crowded launches as the mail steamer cnteredX port, and after she had berthed at the Princes wharf there were bursts of cheering when the boxer and his wife appeared at the deck rail, and as they came down the gangway a battery of cameras exploded. In a waiting taxi Heeney met his mother, and then drove to the City Hotel, where he met his father, crowds following all along the streets and roaring a welcome. Later, Heeney, speaking from the broadcast station, said he had not brought back the world’s title, but the people could rest assured he would seek it again. Interviewed, Heeney said he wished to take nothing from Tunney’s victory, but he broke his thumb a few days before the bout, and that had troubled him. He would like to meet Tunney again, if Tunney was willing. About January he will meet one of the Winners of the elimination bouts, for which there are from eight to ten entrants. Probably he will meet one of the last left in—Sharkey, Loughran, Risko, or Paolino. To-day Heeney was the guest of the Auckland Boxing Association. Mrs Heeney, who fully shared in the .welcome accorded her husband, is a young and pretty American, with a distinct charm of manner. She is. an orphan and American-born. Regarding Heeney’s desire to continue to seek the championship, she said it was his wish after years of endeavour, and she just wished him success. Heeney received £21,000 from his fight with Tunney, hut after payment of expenses he had. only £ll,OOO left. He made much more than that in America, and his surplus 'money is being invested for him by a banker friend in the United States.

AUCKLAND. September 10. Mr and Mrs Tom Heeney were guests of the Northern Boxing Association today in a motor drive round the city. A pleasing feature was the visit to the Auckland Hospital and the Evelyn Firth Home for Disabled Soldiers. In the evening Heeney was entertained at a social ■ gathering arranged by the Northern Boxing Association. An enthusiastic welcome was given him. In a speech Heeney said that his ultimate intention was to come back to New Zealand and settle. He presented the medals to the winners of the championships at the recent amateur provincial tournaments. Heeney and party will leave at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning for Gisborne, via Rotorua and Opotiki, and will arrive at his home town on Thursday afternoon. Interviewed regarding Scott’s statement cabled to-night, Heeney was asked to express an opinion on Scott’s intentions. “ I just want to say this,” said Heeney. “ When Scott beat me at Southampton I fought him on- 24 hours’ notice. As a matter of fact he came over and pulled me out of bed, and asked me to fight him. Incidentally three-quarters of the papers said I won the fight. Since Scott went to America he fought in an elimination test and was knocked out by Hansen, a Scandanavian. Scott was beaten by Paolino. who did not go through the elimination bouts. So,” concluded Heeney, “where Scott got the idea that he is the rightful contender for the title beats me, but good luck to him.” AUCKLAND, September 11. Tom Heeney, accompanied by his wife and his parents, left by motor car to-day for Rotorua, en route to Gisborne.

GISBORNE’S WELCOME. GISBORNE, September 13. Gisborne was beflagged for Tom Heeney’s home-coming. A large crowd assembled to witness his arrivaF. Heeney and his wife attended a banquet in their honour at Opotiki last night, and afterwards motored to Motu, taking the train from there and reaching here about 11 o’clock. They took up a position on the hotel balcony, and were loudly cheered by the crowd. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the Mayor and other citizens. Heeney is to be entertained at a banquet given by representatives of numerous public bodies to-night. Tomorrow he will attend a boxing contest, and will give a sparring exhibition with his brother Jack, and on Saturday night he will be entertained by a Gisborne and visiting party of the Wellington Savage Club. In reply _ to addresses of welcome, Heeney praised American sportsmanship. He said he had gone there unknown, to be treated as though he was an American. The people of the United States were considered here and elsewhere to be poor sports “ but,” said Tom, “ you can get that right out of your heads.” He announced that when he had finished his career he would come back to settle in Gisborne.

Mrs Heeney, in response to a call from the crowd, -spoke. “ You’ve got me stuck up here to day. and I don’t know what to say,” remarked Heeney, as he stepped forward and weathered the storm of cheering. “ All kinds of things have been said,” he continued, “and I suppose I should hit you on the back and say something nice about you, too. I can’t find the words, but I can say that it gives me great delight to receive such a Welcome from the town T was born in. I know you don’t want to know much about fighting; I don’t know much myself,” continued Heeney. “ I only thought I knew something about it, but then I met Tunney. I was after the championship, and did not get it; but now that Tunney has decided to marry and retire, that gives me a chance. I -will return to the States in December to fight in the elmination Series, there being about four men with good chances, of whom. I am lucky enough to be one. When I get back, the memory of all the good things you have said about me will make me put a bit more snap in my work. I cannot thank you enough for what you

have done for me. I am tickled to death to get back among you all.”

ENTERTAINED BY CITIZENS. GISBORNE, September 13. This evening Tom Heeney was entertained by the citizens of Gisborne at a welcome home dinner, 300 being present. The proceedings -were most enthusiastic throughout. The principal toast was “Our Guest,” proposed by the Mayor (Mr D. W. Coleman). In -reply, Mr Heeney expressed his pleasure at being once more in New Zealand, and particularly in Poverty Bay. He dwelt on his ring experiences in America, and paid a tribute to Americans for their sportsmanship. As regards the championship fight, he had lost to Tunney fairly and squarely. There had been some wild talk in the papers to the effect that he had accused Tunney of putting his thumb in his (Heeney’s) eye. Where the story came from he did not know. What he did know was that he (Heeney) never put his thumb in Tunney’s eye. He had never got near enough. As for the future, he intended to do his utmost to secure the championship, and the magnificent reception he was getting in this Dominion would have the effect of making him fight harder in the future than in the past. - AN EXHIBITION SPAR. GISBORNE, September 14. To the great delight ■of a capacity packed Opera House to-night Tom Heeney made what is to be his only appearance in the ring in New Zealand, his brother Jack being sparring partner. Tom Heeney was obviously out of condition, carrying about a stone and a-half above his real fighting weight. In three fast rounds he simply played with the former middleweight champion of New Zealand. A great change in Heeney’s style of fighting was in evidence since his last appearance in the Dominion. There was no idling, and he went to work like a tradesman throughout. It was a case of continually forcing on his part, and he brought into action much half arm hitting with both hands. Never for a moment did he let up, but as befitted the occasion ■the, blows, while snappy, lacked viciousness. Needless to say, the huge crowd was delighted beyond bounds, and at the conclusion everybody rose and sang “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Heeney will leave Gisborne on Sunday morning for the Wellington Boxing Association’s function on Monday evening-