HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16866, 1 February 1929, Page 7

HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

SIX MATCHES ARRANGED CONTEST FOE HEENEY SURVIVOR MEETS DEMRSEY. Definite arrangements liavo now been made for a series of elimination bouts to decide the ultimate contestants for the world’s heavyweight boxing title. Seven fighters have been selected to participate, and the survivor is to meet Jack Dempsey, the former champion, in a contest lor the title honors. Tom Heeney, the New Zealander, is the odd one of the seven, and will not be required to compete in the first round.. The first match of the series will be that between l’aolini Uzeudun and Kayo Christner on February 2d, the winner to be matched with Heeney. Other matches arranged are between Max Schwclling and Johnny Kisko; and Jack Sharkey and Young St ribling. If Heeney survives his first match he will be called upon to face the winner of the Schwelling-Risko bout, and the survivor will face the winner of the match between Sharkey and Stribling. The ultimate survivor will face Jack Dempsey in a match for Ihe championship in September, probably on one of New York’s baseball parks. All that remains to finalise these arrangements is for tho Madison Square Garden management to put the matches in contract form. A cable message this week intimated that the Sharlcey-Stribling bout, had been fixed for February 27, under the promotion of Jack Dempsey, but the later announcement may affect this arrangement. Of those selected to take part in the eliminations, Tom Heeney has met Uzeudun, being beaten by him in his second American fight, and subsequently lighting a draw; Eisko, whom he defeated on points; and Sharkey, with whom he drew. Christner, who was narrowly defeated by Sharkey last, week, and Schwclling. are newcomers to the field of contcndeis for the title, while Stribling, a former light heavyweight title holder, has come into prominence only comparatively recently. Dempsey has not had a fight since he was beaten by Tunncv in 1927.