BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19830, 3 May 1927, Page 4

BOXING

RANDOM PARS A FISTIC SLUMP. (By “The Marquis.”) New Zealand is at present undergoing a very quiet period in the pugilistic world, and since the visit of Billy Grime bouts of interest have been rare. Nothing Doing. Most of the fighting in this country nowadays seems to be done through the newspapers, boxers continually haranguing and abusing one another in print, but when an Association wants to sign them up, many and varied are the excuses offered. The local Association has tried very earnestly to provide bouts of high order, but the poor support accorded their efforts by local fans has greatly discouraged the executive. Overseas Visitors, This countiy seems to get plenty of imported talent from Australia, but, with very few exceptions, the class of fighter seems poor. Of course the purses offered by New Zealand Associations do not appeal to men high up in the fistic world, and it is only in cities like Auckland and Wellington that the cracks can be induced to show their wares. Heeney In New York. New Zealanders will follow with interest the career of Tom Heeney, who has had the good luck to obtain a coupl e of first-class lights in New York recently. His showing there greatly pleased the critics and he seems to be getting well into the big money. He appears, however, to have lost his punching power, which is surprising indeed, as when he held the heavyweight title of these islands he packed a terrific wallop and won practically all his bouts by the k.o. route. A Splendid Fighter. Heeney is a fighter of the most courageous type, and were it not for his indifference to strict physical training, he would have gone much further in the game. He fought in Australia after leaving this country, and made such a good showing that the critics over there were greatly impressed with his possibilities. Unfortunately he did not pay the necessary attention to his work, and promoters refused to sign him up for further contests. Heeney afterwards fought in South Africa and England with varying success, and it is highly pleasing indeed to be able to chronicle his good fortune in the States. The Light-Weight Title. With the departure of Purdy for England, the much disputed lightweight title will again be vacant, and it will be very interesting to sec to whom the New Zealand Council awards 'the mantle. Trowern has great difficulty ir making the necessary weight, and although O’Neill claimed it when the Council awarded it to Purdy, it is hardly likely that he will be selected to defend the honour.