The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-05-07
HAS REACHED
ULTIMATE BY
TAKING TITLE
Takes Little Mentality 10 BE
Boxer or Champion,'
Says Gene
ABILITY to Keep Head When
Going Is Hottest Marks
True Champ
BY EDWARD ]. NEIL
ASSOCIATED Press Sports Writer)

New York, May 7.-(AP)-The
intellectual restrictions Of the box.
ing game are weighing down upon
Gene Tunney and if 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 a 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 between the
words he spoke lay hidden a story
Of establishment and envy that
other men, more fortunate than he,
still have things to strive for in
their professions.
''In the realm of music, art, liter
ature," he said as he rubbed his
hands slowly through his thick
brown hair, last Of the pompadours,
"therc is no top, no ultimate. A
violinist of the perfection of JAS
cha Heifetz, for instance, 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 fol
even greater power.
Gene Philosophers
1.-THE same is true of masters oil
brush and song. even students Of
literature see broader avenues oil
fine meanings open before them as
they delve deeper into the true
masters. For them there is no enc
and even the greatest achievements
OF understanding are but begin
nings.
"Rut it takes little mentality to b.
boxer and no more than that to b.
a champion. There is but one peak
one final goal in the fight game, ant
that of course, is the heavyweight
championship.
ION the way up there is the in
ccntive to struggle for physical fit
ness, the mental keenness, that viii
bring about final victory and tn,
wealth that comes with the title
And even that achievement is per
mitted only heavyweight, for Their,
are none but synthetic champion'
in other classes, mere subdivision!
to the one class that rules oil fight
ing men, physically and financially
! kccpin0 Ones Head
1.-THE true champion knows how
to take care of himself in trouble
Sometimes he will be hit and hurt
Every time fought was hit, M
matter who my opponent was, some
times harder than others, bu
often enough to learn that abilit,
to keep ones head when the going
gets hottest is the prime menta
requisite of q champion.
"Now that l am the titleholder
however, / can find no other intellec
tual stimulus. True, believe thai
to boxing l have drawn an element
never before attracted, the higher
type of citizens who once looked up
on the game as nothing but q bruta
contest of Drawn rather than skill
Long ago l gave up the thought o.
attempting any cleansing the game
might need.
But there is no place for me t
advance now in boxing. Beyond
the heavyweight title there is moth
ing higher. The financial reward:
of the crown have come to me ane
I need no more. MY style of living
is modest, my wants are simple, ant
/ feel that l have enough money
now "a care for myself forever"