Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-31
TUNNEY RET|RES
AS PROFESSIONAL
! BOXING CHAMPION
Mas Fought Last Bout. He
States, at Luncheon
to MuIdoon.
STILL YOUNG ENOUGH
TO START ANEW. HE SAYS
Would Remain to Defend Title. but
Sees No Real Contender
on Horizon.
b. 'he Associated Press.

NEW YORK, July 3l.-Gene Tunney.
heavyweight champion boxer, snnounc-
e0 MS retirement from the ring today
ct 3 luncheon given in honor Of William
Mul0oon. S2-yesr-oid member of the
New York State Athletic Commission.
IT have fought my last bout as a
professional boxer" his statement said.
Staging farewell party" 10 the COM
missioner and more than SO newspaper
man guests. Tunney declared definitely
that the time had come to step out of
tbs game that made him a millionaire
Reports that Tanney was to retire had
been circulated since he crushed Tom
Heensy in an ii-round technical knock
out al the Yankee Stadium last Thurs
Gay night.
WH Start in New Fields.
Feeling still young enough to make
another start IN new fields. Tunney
declared himself grateful for the bsne-
fits conferred and anxious to leave the
same better than he found it.
There Is no contender at the pres
ent time who appears capable of at
tracing real public interest he said.
If there we're might delay my retire.
nleTt long enough TO face him IN the
ring out II looks as II it might be two
or three years before dangerous OPP
ponent is developed. That is too long
70 stand and wait
Praises Tex Richard.
rs,.yvnx- rxa,.a a,;rt, ..,nr,st 20 rev
Richards ability as a promoter and as
the man who could find his successor.
lie declared it his desire to place in
Richards hands q belt or other suitable
emblem OF supremacy, to be awarded by
him TO that boxer who. through series
Of elimination bouts or victories over
the most formidable opponents that can
Dc obtained. shall prove himself deserv-
ing Of L. Gene made no definite men,
ton Of his future plans and paid no
attention IN his statement to rImors
Tnnney's Statement.
nuarevs statement follows.
Il have fought my last bout as
professional boxer
II naturally is with q certain regret
that / announce my permanent retire
n1Cnt from the ring No man realizes
more than / do my debt TO the game
It has treated me well. To it / owe
such fame and fortune as I possess
and Il has given me something less
ephemeraf than fame-snanv real and
warm Friendships, which / hope and
expect to keep through all the years
tc come
Il always shall take live and active !
interest in boxing There Is no finer
physical exegciSe or more engrossing |
science, II Is q game which. properly |
conducted. teaches and develops such |
qualities as stamina, confidence, patti /
ence, self denial bodily fitness, mental |
slertness and courage
Il have a great affection for boxing
and one Of nv chief desires has been to |
leave the game better than / found il. |
] have tried TO be not only champion, |
bat sportsman.
Sees No Further Opportunity.
"But the time has come when pro-
fesS1onal boxing can offer me nothing
further that I desire. am putting II |
behind me, grateful for benefits con-
ferreo but with the feeling that / am
st1l Young enough 70 make new start |
IN other fields
There Is no contender at the present |
time who appears capable of attracting !
YES& pWDIc interest. III tIaerE were 1
might delay my retirement long enough
to face him In the ring. but 1t looks
- II u might be tEo or three years
before dangerous opponent Is de- /
Feiopeo. That is too long 70 stand and
wait
If / had fought again it would have
beer for Tex Ricgard. ] regard him |
ss the foremost boxing promoter of all |
time Realizing that another champion /
zili follow me. / can think of no more /
rspable hands than Richards in which |
30 leave the selection Of such a man /
especially as he will necessarily be |
guided by the advice and assistance Of |
another man 70 whom owe more than |
] can express. There could be no more |!
fitting time than this for me 10 pay
tribute 70 the untarnished honor. tn
*lss counsel, the generous friendship
afld the Ions heart Of that grand old
man ~ sport. William Muid0on.
Under these circumstances IL is nv
ceElfe 70 place IN the hands of Tex
Hlckaro belt. or other suitable enI-
Diem of supremacy. 10 be awarded by
MN 70 That boxer VINO. through a series
ni elimination bouts. or victories over
me most formidable opponents that
can b. obtained, shall prove himself de-
serving of It.
! have no thought Of trying 20 nonj-
rate my successor. To the victor be-
longs the sl3oils ] merely step aside
snc ssy. May The best man win.