Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
CHAMPION TO ISSUE
ASTATEMENT SOON
"AnnounCement of Greatest
Importance" Expected
to Be Swan Song.

BY the Associated Press
n TEW YORK, July 28.-The heavy
weight division of the flstic
VI world. dominated more than
4 ever now by Gene Tunney, may
lose its ruler within the next
few Gays.
Through friends in Greenwich, Conn,
where the heavyweight champion has
been In semi-seclusion since he crushed
Tom Heeney, New Zealand challenger.
In the Yankee Stadium ring Thursday
night. Gene said he would make an
announcement of the greatest impor-
tance'' In New York probably Monday.
Although Tunney could not be
reached directly. the Associated Press
learned that the announcement will be
one of retirement from the ring. Gene
feels that he has conquered all before
him in the ring. has piled up all the
wealth he can ever need and faces a
long period of inactivity through dearth
Of qualified challengers
Not tn Mention Marriage.
No mention of contemplated marriage
will be made in the announcement. II
was learned. although friends OF the
title holder are aware that Gene con-
sders entering matrimony after COM
pleting his walking trip abroad with
Thornton Wilder. the novelist. Tunney
will sail for Europe and the nike
through Germany August To-
Postponement Of the announcement
friends say. was made to permit recog-
milton by the general sporting public of
Tunney as a great champion. The title
holder believes that he stamped him.
self not only masterful boxer, but a
fighting ruler of the killer type In his
technical knockout victory over the
New Zealand challenger.
Following his smashing triumph over
the AnZac, Tunney. friends believe. mas
waited general recognition as great
champion. In an effort to win public
favor once and for all as a great fighter
OF the killer" type, as well as mas
ter boxer. Gene threw every ounce oil
his strength and power into demolish-
ing Heeney in II rounds Of the title
tilt
Tunney's retirement will come. friends
believe. when he decides that he never
can be genuinely popular champion
His decision will be Influenced also. II
was said, by his plan to marry and by
the fact that he faces a long period
of inactivity and the danger OF becom-
ing ring rusty"
Has Defended Title Twice.
Since winning the heavyweight title
from Jack Dempsey at Philadelphia IN
September. 1926. Gene has fought but
twice. He whipped the former cham
pion again last year at Chicago m q
match that drew a gate of $2,S00.00C
and broke all records for receipts at
sporting event. When Tunnsy won
the title. the l0-rcund match In the
Sesouicentennial Stadium drew close tc
So 900 600.
without the drawing power OF the
colorful Dempsey, however. Tunney's
match with Heeney drew little more
than half a million dollars and dealt
a severe blow to the pride of the cham
p.on, who mas maintained that he, too
could lure mammoth crowds to fight
arenas. Genes fortune, bolstered by
guarantees Of 81 900 900 at Chicago and
Ss25 900 for the match with Heeney
has been considerably increased through
wise and profitable investments
Tunney purchased farm and sew
eral acres OF land near Greenwich last
Winter and plans to make his nome
there. Little credence Is given to the
report that he may found a health
farm there.