The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-16
HENNEBERRY TO SEEK 16O POUND
 CHAMPIONSHIP
Plan of Australian Recalls
 Les Darcy Campaign of ' 1916, Ended By Death
By JACK CUDDY

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New York, Nov 16.-(UP)-The unveiling of Fred HennebeGry, Aus tralian middleweight, at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night marks the resumption of e title quest that was halted by heart-break and lonely death 22 years ago.
 For his American debut Henne- berry Is matched with 0eorgie Abrams of Washington, D. C., in the eight-round semi-final to the light heavyweight title tilt between Champion Billy Conn and Gus Les- nevich of New Jersey.
 Henneberry, l60-pound king of the Antipodes, has invaded these shores, hoping to win for Australia the world middleweight and possibly light heavyweight crowns. The great Les Darcy had the same objectives when he arrived in the United States from down under" just be- fore Christmas in 1916. But Darcy became principal in one of the rings most pathetic chapters and died in despair at Memphis, Tenn, the fol- lowing May.
 Darcy, 6ne of the greatest middle. weights ever to toss leather, arrived In this country during the World War. Henneberry arrived during the present war. The current in- ternational situation may or may not affect Henneberry's campaign, but the World War killed Darcy. He died without ever having fight on American soil He died, branded as stacker"
 Standout
 Although only q when he left Australia, Darcy already was recog- nized as one of the worlds outstand- ing fighters. He had beaten the best men down under and all cele- brities who invaded Australia. His victims included Dave Smith, Eddie McGoorty, Frank Loughrey, George (KO) Brown, Buck Grouse, Jimmy Clabby and George Chip.
 When Darcy arrived in New York by way of South America, his boat was met by welcoming committee headed by the late Tex Packard. Negotiations were rushed for Les to fight Georges Carpenter of France in a big New York charity show. But Carpenter couldn't get flr- tough from the French army. Then Darcy was matched with Jack Dil- lon, but the fight never took place because Governor Whitman of New York forbade 1t and denounced the Australian as a sacker.
 It was charged that Darcy had left Australia in violation of the de- fense of the realm act--that he had fled from his home country to es- cape military duty. He tried to get matches n other states, but their governors followed Whitman's prece. dent and ruled him out. Darcy tearfully tried to explain that his family in Australia was dependent upon him for support, and that he wanted only one or two good money fights to tide his family over, while he went to war. But 1t was no go. He died In @ Memphis hospital, @ bitter, heart-broken man.
 Henneberry came to New York by way of England, where he claims he tried to volunteer but was rejected because the English recruiting of- fcers said they were accepting only Australian aviators as volunteers. However, Fred says he's ready to join the colors any time his coun- try sends out the call.
 Father Was Champ
 This Australian invader $ 27 years old and the youngest son of Aus tralla's last bare-knuckle heavy weight champion, the late Mick Henneberry. Fred-a broad -shoul- dered, scar-browed guy with & mop of dark brown hair--cleaned up the also every American middleweight middleweights in the Antipodes and except Walter "Popeye" Wood, to whom Fred lost on a foul after c head collision. He beat Ken Over lin, Young Stuhley, Red Farmer Tom Chester, and if he gets past Georgie Abrams tomorrow night, he will face an outstanding American l6o-pounder in Mike Jacobs inter- national middieweight show ct the l (a~daxa a0a Nao 0n