Gene Tunney brought the heavyweight championship era that followed Jack Dempsey to a decisive close on July 26, 1928, stopping New Zealand challenger Tom Heeney in the 11th round before a massive crowd at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Four days later, Tunney retired as the undisputed heavyweight champion, leaving the sport at the peak of his career.
The bout carried the NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring world heavyweight titles. Promoter Tex Rickard presented it as what many believed would be Tunney’s final appearance. Tunney weighed 192 pounds. Heeney came in at 203½ pounds. Jack Dempsey, whom Tunney had defeated twice, worked in Heeney’s corner in an effort to help the challenger dethrone his former rival.
A paid crowd of 43,191 attended, with thousands more admitted on complimentary tickets. The gate reached approximately $691,014.50, producing a net of about $521,422 after expenses. Tunney received a remarkable $525,000 purse, while Heeney earned $100,000. Motion picture rights generated another $20,000. Radio rights produced $15,000.
Referee Eddie Forbes officiated. Charles F. Mathison and Tom Flynn served as judges.
Heeney fought exactly as expected, charging forward in an effort to force exchanges at close range. Tunney relied on disciplined footwork. His steady left jab repeatedly disrupted the challenger before sharp counters landed cleanly. Much of the early action featured clinches as Heeney struggled to trap the champion along the ropes.
By the eighth round, Tunney had opened a damaging cut over Heeney’s left eye. The punishment increased in the 10th when a double jab followed by a chopping right hand dropped the challenger near the ropes. Heeney rose immediately. He kept pressing forward despite absorbing heavy punishment.
The finish came at 2:52 of the 11th round. Tunney unloaded another sustained attack, but Heeney refused to fall. Seeing the exhausted challenger taking unanswered punches, Forbes stepped between them and awarded Tunney a technical knockout victory.
The victory became the final chapter of one of boxing’s finest championship careers. Tunney retired as heavyweight champion. Later that year, The Ring magazine selected him as its inaugural Fighter of the Year for 1928. Heeney earned lasting respect for his determination, although the defeat effectively ended his pursuit of the world heavyweight title.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/26 at 2:53 AM
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