Why did Tom Heeney get the final title shot against Tunney?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Longhhorn71, Oct 3, 2018.


  1. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Why did Tom Heeney get the final title shot against Tunney?

    Gene Tunney 192 lbs beat Tom Heeney 203½ lbs by TKO at 2:52 in round 11 of 15

    Tom Heeney last 2 fights below, before fighting Gene Tunney in Tunney's memorable last bout     on 7/26/28 (Tunney: "There is no contender at the present time who appears capable of attracting real public interest," he said. "If there were I might delay my retirement long enough to face him in the ring, but it looks as if it might take two or three years before a dangerous opponent is developed. That is too long to stand and wait.")

    Heeney vs Deleney
    1928-03-01 : Tom Heeney 198 lbs beat Jack Delaney
    This content is protected
    by PTS in round 15 of 15
    • Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

    Heeney vs Sharkey
    1928-01-13 : Jack Sharkey 194 lbs drew with Tom Heeney 193 lbs by SD in round 12 of 12
    • Judge George Kelley voted for Sharkey, Judge George Patrick called it a draw, and Referee Denning gave Heeney the verdict.
    • Attendance: 17,000
    • Weigh-in photo
    "Jack Sharkey and Tom Heeney fought to a slashing draw last night in a 12 round match that upset the dope and left experts as well as spectators sharply divided in opinion. Apparently believing that Heeney's bull dog aggressiveness had given him the edge, the crowd of 17,000 onlookers set up a chorus of boos and jeers after the decision, but the critics' gallery at the ringside gave a majority opinion in favor of Sharkey. From the 3rd through the 7th round, Heeney kept plugging away with telling effect. He cuffed, wrestled and harried his taller, slightly heavier opponent. Heeney, unable to keep up his gruelling pace, was forced back and made a target for sharp right crosses and stiff lefts to the body in the closing five rounds. Sharkey still found difficulty in locating his mark at times and he was slow afoot, but he outboxed Heeney and landed the sharper blows." -Associated Press

    • Gate - $161,031
     
    Longhhorn71, Oct 3, 2018
    Longhhorn71, Oct 3, 2018
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  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Heeney was legitimately a top three candidate at the time.

    Obviously we know in hindsight, that he was not as good as Sharkey or Risko.

    Tunney probably did what he always did, and picked the opponent with the highest credibility/difficulty ratio.
     
    janitor, Oct 3, 2018
    janitor, Oct 3, 2018
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  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Heeney drew with Sharkey and beat Risko a few months later Sharkey lost to Risko in that time scale, so Heeney was at least as good on paper as Sharkey.
    Heeney hadn't lost any of his last 7 fights, Sharkey hadn't won any of his last 3.
     
    mcvey, Oct 3, 2018
    mcvey, Oct 3, 2018
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  4. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Heeney went 10 rds in 2 decision losses to Max Baer afterwards
     
    richdanahuff, Oct 3, 2018
    richdanahuff, Oct 3, 2018
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  5. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Heeney's career basically collapsed after the Tunney loss.
     
    Longhhorn71, Oct 3, 2018
    Longhhorn71, Oct 3, 2018
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  6. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Got his ass kicked so bad by a .500 182 pound black fighter that his corner had to rescue him.
     
    Seamus, Oct 3, 2018
    Seamus, Oct 3, 2018
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  7. unitas

    unitas Boxing Addict Full Member

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    i never understood why heeney was Always somewhat rediculed by the press as a sort of undeserving/incompetent Challenger. just like tunney is Always regarded as a bit of caretaker Champion. i think this is not accurate in either case. heeney was certainly as good or better in my opinion as most of dempseys challengers. he beat risko and delaney and drew with sharkey. thats better than firpo then firpo or brennan. he was handled easily by tunney…..because tunney was that great a fighter.
     
    unitas, Oct 4, 2018
    unitas, Oct 4, 2018
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  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Heeney wasn't the greatest fighter but his recent results meant he was as entitled to a title shot as Sharkey.
    Personally I think an "on" Sharkey would give Tunney an extremely interesting evening , the Marine knew what he was doing opting for Heeney.
     
    mcvey, Oct 4, 2018
    mcvey, Oct 4, 2018
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  9. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Rickard selected Heeney over Sharkey despite the draw in the finale of the elimination series because he felt Heeneys style was more pleasing, Heeney being foreign was more exotic and thus more marketable, and that the fight would be more aesthetically pleasing.
     
    klompton2, Oct 4, 2018
    klompton2, Oct 4, 2018
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