Evening star., 1928-05-07
BY EDWARD J. NEIL.

Associated Press Sports Writer
n EW YORK, May THE intel
M lectual restrictions Of the box
VI ing game are weighing down
4 upon Gene Tunney, and IL need
for mental exercise. unrequited
in the fight racket" spills over into
study of the classics and lectures before
Shakespearean students, then that's the
fault Of the game alone.
In contemplative mood, the big
heavyweight champion, who soon must
lay aside study OF the gentler arts TO
prepare for defense of his title against
the rugged Tom Heeney, stretched on
a sofa In his hotel apartment In be-
tween the words he spoke lay hidden
story OF disillusionment and envy
that other men. more fortunate than
he, still have things TO strive for in
their professions.
In the realm of music, art. litera-
ture." he said as he rubbed his hands
slowly through his thick brown hair,
last OF the pompadours, there is no
top. no ultimate. A violinist of the
perfection OF JaScha Heifetz, for in
stance. finds new and greater vistas
opening before him as his skill increases.
He is never satisfied. and the finer his
music. the keener his desire for even
greater power.
"The same is true of masters of
brush and song. Even students of lit
erature see broader avenues of fine
meanings open before them as they
delve deeper into the true masters. For
them there Is no end and even the
greatest achievements of understanding
are but beginnings.
Boxer Needs Little Brain.
But 1t takes little mentality to be a
boxer and no more than that to be a
champion. There is but one peak, one
final goal in the fight game. and that.
OF course, Is the heavyweight cham
pionship
"On the way up there is the incentive
to struggle for physical fitness, the
mental keenness, that will bring about
final victory and the wealth that comes
with the title And even that achieve
ment Is permitted only a heavyweight.
for there are none but synthetic cham
pions in other claSSeS-mere sub
divisions to the one class that rules all
hghting men, physically and financially
The true champion knows how TO
take care OF himself In trouble Some
times he will be hit and hurt. Every
time ! fought was hit. no matter who
my opponent was. sometimes harder
than others. but often enough TO learn
that ability to keep ones head when the
going gets hottest Is the prime mental
requisite of champion.
Now that I am the titleholder, how
ever, can find no other intellectual
stimulus. True, l believe that to boxing
/ have drawn an element never before
attracted. the higher type Of citizen,
who once looked upon the game a.
nothing but brutal contest OF Lrawn
rather than skill. Long ago gave up
the thought of attempting any cleans
ing the game might need.
But there is no place for me to ad-
vance now In boxing. Beyond the
heavyweight title there Is nothing high
er. The financial rewards o. the crown
have come to me and ! need no more
MY style OF living is modest. my wants
are simple. and / feel that I have
enough money now to care for myself
forever.
eleven years ago pounded q type
writer for living at a salary OF SIS
week. lived on that then. Basically,
my needs have not changed-expanded
perhaps, but not changed. The habits
and customs af living that ] formed
then still are with ne
ITO some fighters. Of course, there is
always the incentive of adulation TO
keep them going after they reach the
top and sometimes after their prime
II is the roar OF the crowd, the thrill of
acclaim, that seeps into the blood.
have never felt that and II matters lit
tie TO me what the fans who pay TO see
me fight think OF me personally"
There Is in Gene Tunney. however.
no lack OF appreciation for the game