“MINE HOST” HEENEY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19897, 27 March 1939, Page 4

“MINE HOST” HEENEY

TOM AT MIAMI BEACH THINKING OF. GISBORNE HOME JOURNEY SOME DAY : “I met the ‘hard rock from under’ for the first time 11 years ago, when he was in training for his memorable fight with Gene Tunney. Now, after more than a decade, I have met the popular Tom Heeney again. He is in Miami Beach, Florida, in the heart of America’s tropics,” writes I. Q. Gross, a well-known sports commentator, in an article published by the Australian Referee. ‘The New Zealander was a powerful man that day in his camp at Fairhaven, New Jersey. He was the toughest and most rugged fellow i ever met in the fighting game, despite the fact that Tunney gave him a beating. "It is a far cry now from his fighting days, for Heeney now owns a tavern where people from all over tire United States come to talk over the old days, and Heeney makes a popular host, for he is always considerate, and treats his'friends in royal man-

ner. Tom’s Fight With Tunney ‘‘l remember his fight with Tunney vividly. The newspaper experts criticised the making of the match back in 1928. They said Heeney was not smart enough to be placed in the same ring with the champion. But Heeney was determined. His courage was well known. If he lost, he would go down fighting like a man should when faced with defeat. I m really inclined to believe that Heeney thought he had a chance that night 11 years ago. ‘‘When I spoke to Tom, the other day, he was glad to meet me, for we were great pals in his training foi Tunney. As we talked over old times, he gave me some interesting facts on his fight with Max Baer in the days before Baer became champion. Miscount at the Ringside “ ‘You will recall that Baer always had the reputation of being a clown, and one who liked the night life, said Tom. ‘When he came info New York, he was hailed as a coming champion. He had a marvellous physique, and looked like a bronzed god. They wanted him for a champion, and gave him several opponents they thought he could beat, i •* ‘Baer fooled around too much, aad lost to Ernie Schaff, and Tommy Loughran. Then they matched him with me. How well I remembei that night. ' “‘I won the first round easily. Max j was wild as wild can be. I fooled ; him by close in-fighting. Max . couldn’t touch me. and I was confident [ that I could win easily. Jack ■ sey. the great Dempsey himself. <tt,as ; the referee. 1 “ ‘But something strange happened in 1 that second round. I slipped out .o* ■ the ring when Baer pushed mei and ' I was a little off balance. I fell -a ! the press box, where all the reporteis were Naturally the fall surprised l me. and I was stunned. I tried to climb back into the ring as fast as I could under the circumstances. , “ ‘Dempsey had already counted to ' four. Five, six, seven, eight. My I mind was clear again, and I jumped ; up. The fight was ready to go on be- ' cause Dempsey gave us the nod to . come in fighting again 5 Arthur Donovan’s Error “‘The greatest surprise of my life J took place right at that moment. 1 Arthur Donovan, who referees all the 1 important fights in New York now, j happened to be the knock-down time--1 keeper. He said the fight was over. * “‘I was dumbfounded. I knew that 1 had risen at eight. Dempsey talke.. 3 to Donovan for several minutes. 2 “‘I lost that fight that night because Donovan had his pants caught on a chair when he jumped up to start the count. He bent down to release ms pants, arid when he rose, he started to count at four, figuring that four seconds had elapsed during the delay. i That’s strange, but it’s true!” Discussing Tunney, Heeney remarked: “ ‘Ah. there was a fighter. I think he was the cleverest fighter that ever 5 lived, and he was a terrific puncher. I never knew why he was never popular with the fans. Perhaps because he was a business man in addition to being a sportsman. Modern Heavies a Poor Lot a ‘“Tunney would have given Joe r Louis a beating. Gene would be too -c smart for Joe Louis at all times. He i knew more tricks than the negro n battler. Joe would be puzzled. Tun- [. ney would make him look like a fool. 3 “ ‘Do you ever get the desire to make a a come-back?’ ” I asked Tom. £ “ ‘Yes, now and then I get the urge t when I think how poor the modern 0 heavyweights are. I think I couid beat most of them. But on second thoughts, I’m better off here. I have * a good business, and I like this c pleasant climate. I don’t have to keep in strict training all the time. . And any time I like, Igo out on the ’ beautiful 'beach here and take a sunoath. “ ‘What about a return trip to New . Zealand and Australia,’” Tom was asked. “ ‘Yes, I want to see my old friends there. As soon as I get the chance I’m going to make the trip. But tell my friends I'm glad to be out of the fight game. I’m living a pleasant life, and enjoy it, too.’ ”.