RICKARD LOSES £31,000.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17466, 28 July 1928, Page 8

RICKARD LOSES £31,000.

HEENEY COMING HOME. WILL CONTINUE RING CAREER. (By Telejrraph.—Press Assn.—copyright.) (Australian Press Association. (Received July 28, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 27. Mr Tex Rickard officially announced to the Madison Square Garden Corporation that he lost £31,000 by the Tunney-Heeney bout. Heeney states that he intends to proceed to New Zealand in a few weeks on a visit to his parents. He will then return to America to continue his ring career. KEENEY BROKE THUMB RECENTLY BUT SUPPRESSED FACT. AFRAID OF BEING REPLACED. 'By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) GISBORNE, Saturday. With considerable reluctance Heeney's parents have been persuaded to release for publication a letter from Tom, which reveals that last month he sustained a badly broken thumb. The fact was suppressed by Heeney because he feared Tex Rickard would make it an excuse to replace him in the title bout. The letter, which was written on June 19, states: —"A few days ago I broke my thumb and have not been able to train. I can't let them know, as they might get someone else. The trouble is I don't know how it will go when I start training because the bone will be liable to break again. A doctor told me it had been broken before and had not been set right."

RECEPTION BY HEENEY'S PARENTS "HE DID HIS BEST." (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) GISBORNE, Saturday. Heeney's parents listened to the broadcast description by Mr O'Meara, sitting silent and motionless throughout and receiving the verdict with a smile. Tom's voice from the ringside was clearly distinguishable, and Mr Mortimer's message to them from Tom ttirough the microphone was most encouraging, the "Kia ora" coming through hke a cheer. A subsequent message from Tom by wireless stated: "Very sorry I was unable to win, but you folks at home will know I did my best. I have been defeated but not hurt. Love to all." Tom's parents had little comment to offer as to the result. "One of them had to lose," said Mrs Heeney. "We would have liked him to win, but he did his best, and that's all we could expect. Still we have every reason to be proud of him." NEW ZEALAND'S SYMPATHY. MESSAGE FROM PREMIER. WELLINGTON, Friday. The following cablegram was sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Con.tes, this afternoon to Tom Heeney:—"We are all very sorry success did not come your way. However, you have the satisfaction of having put up a splendid fight against the champion. Kia ora." GISBORNE'S CONGRATULATIONS. CABLED TO HEENEY. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) GISBORNE, Saturady. The Mayor of Gisborne cabled Heeney to-day as follows: "Gisborne citizens' congratulations on the great fight put up by you. The traditions were worthily upheld." RHYMES WITH ROONEY. 'Like the well-known English surname of Cholmondeley, there are some names, even in the United States, that prove a trap for the unwary one- Such is the name of the New York Irishman who holds the title of world's champion boxer. Many people are heard pronouncing Tunncy's name as if it rhymed with " sunny," but they are wrong. The name, a pressman was informed by an American visitor, is pronounced to rhyme with " Rooncy."