The Washington times., 1928-07-23

after the boxing .matlnees, wa
talk between Jack Dempsey al
The milling thousands had scrim-
mayed with Dempsey for two hours
and. in q lesser degree had ruffied
the immaculate attire Of Commodore
Tex Richard and fragments Of the
six hundred millionaires who had
steamed down to Fair Haven in
Tex's yacht.
Dempsey, alone with the ci1al-
lenger and the man they say he
may fight next year IL the title
changes hands next Thursday, gave
the New Zealander his advice on
how to fight Gene Tunney.
Dempsey laid much stress on
the necessity for breaking the
champions holds. In order to
illustrate his points, he induced
Heeney 10 Sit upon the rubbing
table and then brought him 10
his feet for some actual clinch-
ing and cIfncE. brealkiug holds.
Dempsey admits that Tunney was
able to handle him in the clinches
at Chicago. but after he tested the
Anzacs strength at close quarters,
he doubted that Tunney would l.e
able to tie npnE1eeney for more than
few seconds at q time.
He showed Heeney how Tunney
spreads an opponents arms and.
other tricks Of clinching and then
illustrated his own method Of cir
cumventing that method Of defense.
They stood there. the flanneled,
debonair Dempsey and the naked
Heeney practicing the breaking Of
holds. Dempsey brought his elbows
up sharply ct times and tried il
on Jack.
The interview lasted only few
minutes. but in that time Dempsey
contributed the sort OF advice that
one fighter can give to another and
brought out points seldom touched
on by mere spectators, expert or
otherwise.
Heeney was not backward IN
showing his appreciation and
when Dempsey shook hands and
wished him good luck as they
parted, Tom WAS moved to en-
thusiasm that he seldom feels.
mo wonder Dempsey IS such 4
hero to American fight fans, re.
marked the hard rock afterward.
IL can understand now why Demp-
sey Is idolized by grown men and
small boys He has wonderful
personality. =
Dempsey certainly should be well
qualified to advise anybody on
Tnnney after his disastrous 20
rounds with the champion.
Some of the ringsiders today
a. 49, Al. 4
ing = said Dempsey, but I give
He isn't fIashv, but he showed
plenty today that only man who
has been in there can appreciate.
He started slow. but he was going
strong In four round He isn't a
killing hitter, but he punches often
more often than any man Tunney
has ever fought. If Gene isn't in
condition to be mauIed for Is
rounds anything may happen.
Say, I couldn't lick my own
sparring partners before my two
fights with Tunney and yet he
couldn't hurt me He ontboxed me
and cut me up, but | can't believe
that he has suddenly developed a
Knockout punch. Heeney is In his
prime He proved his ability to take
punishment and from what / saw
today he Is in tiptop condition. He
Isn't a fighter who shows at his best
until he gets in real fight.
''Heeney showed me good
left hook TO the body and head
and 4 good right inside. He is
the heaviest man Tunney has
ever fought and ordinary punches
won't slow him mp
I'm not picking anybody to win
the fight, but I'll say this:
"Tunney may win enough rounds
to grab the Fecision. but predict
he'll have tough time of 1t after
the eighth round. IL he weakens
from Toms eternal maufing and
goes on the defensive r. wouldn't be
surprised II he is knocked out.
.'Another thing. Gene used TO
have bad hands. He win be hitting
Heeney a lot on the shoulders and
high on head that is as hard as
any have seen in long time. Sup
pose he cracks fin In the first few
rounds? ] tell You he has an even
chance. The burden is all on Tunney
as ii was on me In my two bouts with
Tunney. Heeney has never been
forced TO take a rest on the floor and
hes has been hit by some good sock
ors. There il no reason to believe
that Tunney can cut him up enough
TO stop him. He never has been
sIasfed badly because he bears no
scar.