Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
TRUTHLESS REPORT
UPSETS CHAMPION
"CowardIy and Unfair Arti-
Gle" So Excites Gene His
Training Suffers.
Nv In. Associated Press.

BY the ASSOCIATED Press
SPECULATOR. N. Y. July l4-The
statement that the New York Boxing
Commission was controlled by thugs
Tunney by one of the metropolitan
newspapers, so affected the champion
today that he was unable to display his
best form in the training ring.
Gene was so excited about the truth
less report that he neglected his road
work and was unwilling to put on the
gloves with Harold Mays and Billy
Vidabeck, his sparring partners.
A brief shower fell here during the
afternoon and during the downpour
Tunney said to several members Of his
camp. Il hope the rain continues;
don't feel like working today"
The rain ceased a few minutes be-
fore it was time for Gene to enter the
ring, which he did much against his
will. He punched the bags for four
rounds and then spared half-heartedly
with Mays.
The champion. who Is training for
his title bout with Tom Heeney on
July rs, was far off form. Mays tore
after him in the first round, landing
several hard left and right hooks to
the champions head. and during the
rest of the practice bout Tunney took
many body punch which he should
have blocked or sidestepped.
Better Against Vidabeck.
Tunney- looked better, against Vida
beck. but the latter has great trouble
avoiding right-hand punch and the
champion had no great difficulty land
ing this blow to all parts of his body.
Genes footwork was much slower in
both bouts. though he appeared In ex-
cellent physical shape. Several hun
dred spectators paid so cents each to
watch the workout, the proceeds going
to charity
The champion emerged from his Sc
cluded sleeping quarters in good spirits
early in the day. but his cheerfulness
left him when he was informed of the
alleged attack on the Boxing Commits
sion. He Is OF a peculiar disposition
After reading the newspaper which
featured the misquotation.g Tunney
issued the following:
Il emphatically deny the statement
accredited to me regarding the New
York Boxing Commission being con-
trolled and Influenced by so-called
thugs
1T was cowardly thing and most
unfair to both the Boxing Commission
and myself 1t puts me in a particu-
larry embarrassing position with Com
missioner William A. Muldoon, whom
I respect more than any man / have
ever known and for whom my affection
and admiration are genuine
| After issuing the statement. Tunney
called attention to the fact that he had
not boxed in New York State since 1925.
and therefore could have no first hand
knowledge of boxing conditions IN the
Empire State
Tunney mas not yet decided how he
will travel to New York on the day of
the championship bout. He decided not
to engage a hydroairpiane for the ago.
mile trip after being told that most
seaplaneS were much slower than land
planes. Comdr. Richard Byrd. it has
been said, viii come here to pay the
champion visit: and II he arrives by
plane. Tunney may fly with him back
to New York on the day of the fight.
Tex Richard. promoter Of the coming
bout, arrived tonight with q party of
So. which included one railroad presi-
dent and several prominent bank heads
Richard made the trip, his first to
Tunney's secluded haven, TO witness the
champions signature to the New York
Boxing Commissions contract for the
titular bout.