Tom Heeney

New Zealand boxer

Tom Heeney

Born|

Thomas Heeney

(1898-05-18)18 May 1898

Gisborne, New Zealand

Died| 15 June 1984(1984-06-15) (aged 86)

Miami, Florida, U.S.

Nationality| New Zealand
Other names| The Hard Rock from Down Under
Statistics
Weight(s)| Heavyweight
Height| 5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m)
Reach| 72 in (180 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights| 70
Wins| 37
Wins by KO| 15
Losses| 23
Draws| 8
No contests| 2

Thomas Heeney (18 May 1898 – 15 June 1984) was a professional heavyweight boxer from New Zealand, best known for unsuccessfully challenging champion Gene Tunney for the heavyweight championship of the world in New York City on 26 July 1928.

## Biography

[edit]

Portrait of Heeney in boxing stance

Heeney was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and worked as a plumber until he left New Zealand.[1] He was a strong swimmer and was awarded a bronze medal by the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand in 1918 for helping rescue two women from the sea off Waikanae Beach, Gisborne. He also retrieved a third woman who did not survive.[2]

He learnt to box from his father and his older brother Jack Heeney, who was the New Zealand amateur welterweight champion in 1914 and middleweight champion from 1919 to 1924. He became a professional boxer when he fought Bill Bartlett in Gisborne in 1920.[3] In October 1920, Heeney became the New Zealand heavyweight champion when he beat Brian McCleary of Dunedin on a technical knockout. Heeney was also a rugby union player and played for the Hawke's Bay — Poverty Bay team against the Springboks in 1921.[3] He boxed in Australia and won the Australian heavyweight champion title in 1922, and fought in England and South Africa in 1924.

Heeney went to the United States in 1926. He beat Jim Maloney, Johnny Risko and Jim Delaney[3] and eventually ranked fourth among the world's heavyweight boxers. After fighting Jack Sharkey, later a heavyweight world champion, in 1928 for the right to fight Tunney, on 26 July 1928, Heeney fought Gene Tunney at Yankee Stadium, New York City, for the world heavyweight championship title. Heeney entered the boxing ring wearing a Māori cloak that was given to him by Heni Materoa, the widow of Sir James Carroll. The referee, Ed Forbes, stopped the scheduled 15 round fight in the 11th round, and Tunney won. It was said of Heeney:

> His gritty performance in this fight would have been considered by many observers to have justified his sobriquet of The Hard Rock from Down Under given by renowned writer and journalist, Damon Runyon.[citation needed]

A week after his defeat, Tom married Marion Dunn, an American. Heeney became an American citizen and boxed until 1934, accomplishing a fighting record of 70 professional bouts, 38 wins, 22 losses, 8 draws, and 2 no-contest.

After retiring from boxing, he owned a bar in Miami, Florida. He served with the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps in World War II, and afterward coached boxing and refereed armed forces bouts in the South Pacific. He often fished with his friend, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway. Heeney's wife, Marion, died in 1980. They had no children.[1]

Heeney was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

## Professional boxing record

[edit]

April 1, 1927 match against Paulino Uzcudun

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[4] unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

[edit]

70 fights  | 37 wins  | 22 losses

|
|

By knockout  | 15  | 6
By decision  | 17  | 15
By disqualification  | 5  | 1
Draws  | 8
No contests  | 2
Newspaper decisions/draws | 1

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. | Result  | Record  | Opponent  | Type  | Round, time  | Date  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

70  | Loss  | 37–22–8 (3) | Stanley Poreda | TKO  | 10 (10), 1:24 | Mar 27, 1933  | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US |
69  | Loss  | 37–21–8 (3) | Charley Retzlaff | NWS  | 10  | Mar 7, 1933  | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US |
68  | Loss  | 37–21–8 (2) | Patsy Perroni  | PTS  | 10  | Dec 6, 1932  | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, US |
67  | Draw  | 37–20–8 (2) | John Schwake  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 25, 1932  | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, US |
66  | Win  | 37–20–7 (2) | Hans Birkie  | PTS  | 10  | Mar 16, 1932  | Auditorium, Oakland, California, US |
65  | Loss  | 36–20–7 (2) | Max Baer | PTS  | 10  | Feb 22, 1932  | Seals Stadium, San Francisco, California, US |
64  | Draw  | 36–19–7 (2) | Giacomo Bergomas  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 26, 1931  | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US |
63  | Draw  | 36–19–6 (2) | Jose Santa  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 5, 1931  | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US |
62  | Win  | 36–19–5 (2) | Jose Santa  | PTS  | 12  | Sep 10, 1931  | Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, US |
61  | Loss  | 35–19–5 (2) | Jimmy Slattery | PTS  | 6  | Apr 20, 1931  | Buffalo Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US |
60  | Loss  | 35–18–5 (2) | Johnny Risko  | PTS  | 10  | Apr 6, 1931  | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
59  | Loss  | 35–17–5 (2) | Charley Retzlaff | TKO  | 7 (10)  | Mar 6, 1931  | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US |
58  | Loss  | 35–16–5 (2) | Max Baer | KO  | 3 (10)  | Jan 16, 1931  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
57  | Loss  | 35–15–5 (2) | Emmett Rocco  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 13, 1930  | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
56  | Loss  | 35–14–5 (2) | Frank Cawley  | UD  | 10  | Sep 29, 1930  | Kingston Armory, Kingston, Pennsylvania, US |
55  | Win  | 35–13–5 (2) | George Panka  | SD  | 10  | Sep 8, 1930  | Meyers Bowl, North Braddock, New Jersey, US |
54  | Loss  | 34–13–5 (2) | Tuffy Griffiths | TKO  | 10 (10)  | Jul 30, 1930  | Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
53  | Win  | 34–12–5 (2) | George Hoffman  | PTS  | 10  | Sep 26, 1929  | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
52  | Loss  | 33–12–5 (2) | Victorio Campolo  | TKO  | 9 (10), 2:46 | Aug 15, 1929  | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US |
51  | Win  | 33–11–5 (2) | Elzear Rioux  | DQ  | 8 (10)  | May 29, 1929  | Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Rioux DQ'd after Heeney claimed he was hit low 10 times
50  | Loss  | 32–11–5 (2) | Otto von Porat | UD  | 10  | Mar 12, 1929  | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US |
49  | Loss  | 32–10–5 (2) | Jim Maloney  | PTS  | 10  | Mar 1, 1929  | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US |
48  | Loss  | 32–9–5 (2) | Gene Tunney | TKO  | 11 (15), 2:52 | Jul 26, 1928  | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
47  | Win  | 32–8–5 (2) | Jack Delaney | UD  | 15  | Mar 1, 1928  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
46  | Draw  | 31–8–5 (2) | Jack Sharkey | SD  | 12  | Jan 13, 1928  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
45  | Win  | 31–8–4 (2) | Johnny Risko  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 26, 1927  | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US |
44  | Win  | 30–8–4 (2) | Jim Maloney  | KO  | 1 (12), 1:17 | Sep 30, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
43  | Draw  | 29–8–4 (2) | Paulino Uzcudun | PTS  | 15  | Sep 8, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
42  | Win  | 29–8–3 (2) | Bud Gorman  | DQ  | 3 (10), 1:17 | Aug 4, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
41  | Win  | 28–8–3 (2) | Jack DeMave  | PTS  | 10  | Jun 24, 1927  | Coney Island Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
40  | Loss  | 27–8–3 (2) | Paulino Uzcudun | PTS  | 10  | Apr 1, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
39  | Win  | 27–7–3 (2) | Charley Anderson  | TKO  | 8 (10)  | Feb 25, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
38  | Win  | 26–7–3 (2) | Jack Stanley  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 25, 1926  | National Sporting Club, London, England, UK |
37  | Win  | 25–7–3 (2) | Bartley Madden  | PTS  | 20  | Aug 9, 1926  | Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland |
36  | Loss  | 24–7–3 (2) | Phil Scott | PTS  | 10  | Jul 10, 1926  | The Dell, Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK | For Commonwealth heavyweight title
35  | Win  | 24–6–3 (2) | Tom Berry | PTS  | 15  | Jul 5, 1926  | The Ring, London, England, UK |
34  | Win  | 23–6–3 (2) | Charley Smith  | DQ  | 5 (10)  | Mar 18, 1926  | Royal Albert Hall, London, England, UK |
33  | Loss  | 22–6–3 (2) | George 'Blackie' Miller  | DQ  | 5 (20)  | Nov 14, 1925  | Town Hall, Durban, South Africa | Heeney's seconds entered the ring during the round
32  | Win  | 22–5–3 (2) | George 'Blackie' Miller  | DQ  | 8 (20)  | Oct 10, 1925  | Town Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa | Low blow
31  | Win  | 21–5–3 (2) | Vic Morace  | KO  | 4 (20)  | Jul, 1925  | City Hall, Cape Town, South Africa | Exact date unknown
30  | Win  | 20–5–3 (2) | Johnny Squires  | RTD  | 18 (20)  | Jun 15, 1925  | City Hall, Cape Town, South Africa |
29  | Win  | 19–5–3 (2) | Johnny Squires  | PTS  | 20  | Apr 9, 1925  | Town Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa |
28  | Loss  | 18–5–3 (2) | George Cook  | PTS  | 20  | Feb 12, 1925  | Premierland, London, England, UK |
27  | Win  | 18–4–3 (2) | Trooper Jim Young  | KO  | 4 (15)  | Jan 19, 1925  | National Sporting Club, London, England, UK |
26  | NC | 17–4–3 (2) | Frans Hendrickx  | NC  | 6 (15)  | Nov 3, 1924  | The Ring, London, England, UK | Referee stopped the fight for lack of effort by both fighters
25  | Loss  | 17–4–3 (1) | Phil Scott | PTS  | 20  | Sep 22, 1924  | The Ring, London, England, UK | For vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title
24  | Win  | 17–3–3 (1) | Ern Young  | TKO  | 4 (15)  | Feb 20, 1924  | Town Hall, Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
23  | Win  | 16–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | KO  | 9 (15)  | Dec 26, 1923  | Opera House, Palmerston North, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
22  | Win  | 15–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | DQ  | 5 (15)  | Nov 10, 1923  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
21  | Win  | 14–3–3 (1) | Jim Savage  | KO  | 1 (15)  | Oct 26, 1923  | Princess Theatre, Napier, New Zealand |
20  | Loss  | 13–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | PTS  | 15  | Sep 26, 1923  | Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | Lost New Zealand heavyweight title
19  | Win  | 13–2–3 (1) | Brian McCleary | TKO  | 14 (15)  | Aug 14, 1923  | King Edward's Barracks, Christchurch, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
18  | Win  | 12–2–3 (1) | Jim Flett  | TKO  | 9 (15)  | Aug 2, 1923  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
17  | Win  | 11–2–3 (1) | Cyril Whittaker  | TKO  | 15 (15)  | Jun 4, 1923  | Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | Whittaker died of injuries sustained in this fight.[4]
16  | Win  | 10–2–3 (1) | Jack Complin  | TKO  | 9 (20)  | Jan 1, 1923  | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia |
15  | Draw  | 9–2–3 (1) | Ern Waddy  | PTS  | 20  | Dec 18, 1922  | Unley Stadium, Adelaide, Australia |
14  | Draw  | 9–2–2 (1) | Charlie Taylor  | PTS  | 20  | Aug 12, 1922  | Star Theatre, Mackay, Australia |
13  | Win  | 9–2–1 (1) | Tom Batho  | TKO  | 14 (20)  | Jul 22, 1922  | Theatre Royal, Townsville, Australia |
12  | Loss  | 8–2–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 20  | Jun 30, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia | For Australian heavyweight title
11  | Win  | 8–1–1 (1) | Jack Leahy  | PTS  | 20  | Jun 3, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia |
10  | Win  | 7–1–1 (1) | Jim Flett  | PTS  | 15  | May 1, 1922  | Jim Flett, Australia |
9  | Loss  | 6–1–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 20  | Mar 17, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia | For ANBF and Australian heavyweight titles
8  | Win  | 6–0–1 (1) | Max Gornik  | RTD  | 15 (20)  | Feb 11, 1922  | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia |
7  | Draw  | 5–0–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 27, 1921  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
6  | Win  | 5–0 (1) | Jack Cole  | PTS  | 15  | Jul 23, 1921  | Kaikohu Hall, Te Karaka, New Zealand |
5  | Win  | 4–0 (1) | Albert Pooley  | PTS  | 15  | Feb 11, 1921  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
4  | Win  | 3–0 (1) | Albert Pooley  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 27, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
3  | ND | 2–0 (1) | Frank Gribben  | ND  | 3  | Aug 27, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
2  | Win  | 2–0  | George Modrich  | PTS  | 15  | Jun 8, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
1  | Win  | 1–0  | Bill Bartlett  | TKO  | 9 (15)  | Feb 12, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |

### Unofficial record

[edit]

70 fights  | 37 wins  | 23 losses

|
|

By knockout  | 15  | 6
By decision  | 17  | 16
By disqualification  | 5  | 1
Draws  | 8
No contests  | 2

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. | Result  | Record  | Opponent  | Type  | Round  | Date  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

70  | Loss  | 37–23–8 (2) | Stanley Poreda | TKO  | 10 (10), 1:24 | Mar 27, 1933  | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US |
69  | Loss  | 37–22–8 (2) | Charley Retzlaff | NWS  | 10  | Mar 7, 1933  | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US |
68  | Loss  | 37–21–8 (2) | Patsy Perroni  | PTS  | 10  | Dec 6, 1932  | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, US |
67  | Draw  | 37–20–8 (2) | John Schwake  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 25, 1932  | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, US |
66  | Win  | 37–20–7 (2) | Hans Birkie  | PTS  | 10  | Mar 16, 1932  | Auditorium, Oakland, California, US |
65  | Loss  | 36–20–7 (2) | Max Baer | PTS  | 10  | Feb 22, 1932  | Seals Stadium, San Francisco, California, US |
64  | Draw  | 36–19–7 (2) | Giacomo Bergomas  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 26, 1931  | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US |
63  | Draw  | 36–19–6 (2) | Jose Santa  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 5, 1931  | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US |
62  | Win  | 36–19–5 (2) | Jose Santa  | PTS  | 12  | Sep 10, 1931  | Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, US |
61  | Loss  | 35–19–5 (2) | Jimmy Slattery | PTS  | 6  | Apr 20, 1931  | Buffalo Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US |
60  | Loss  | 35–18–5 (2) | Johnny Risko  | PTS  | 10  | Apr 6, 1931  | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
59  | Loss  | 35–17–5 (2) | Charley Retzlaff | TKO  | 7 (10)  | Mar 6, 1931  | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US |
58  | Loss  | 35–16–5 (2) | Max Baer | KO  | 3 (10)  | Jan 16, 1931  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
57  | Loss  | 35–15–5 (2) | Emmett Rocco  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 13, 1930  | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
56  | Loss  | 35–14–5 (2) | Frank Cawley  | UD  | 10  | Sep 29, 1930  | Kingston Armory, Kingston, Pennsylvania, US |
55  | Win  | 35–13–5 (2) | George Panka  | SD  | 10  | Sep 8, 1930  | Meyers Bowl, North Braddock, New Jersey, US |
54  | Loss  | 34–13–5 (2) | Tuffy Griffiths | TKO  | 10 (10)  | Jul 30, 1930  | Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
53  | Win  | 34–12–5 (2) | George Hoffman  | PTS  | 10  | Sep 26, 1929  | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
52  | Loss  | 33–12–5 (2) | Victorio Campolo  | TKO  | 9 (10), 2:46 | Aug 15, 1929  | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US |
51  | Win  | 33–11–5 (2) | Elzear Rioux  | DQ  | 8 (10)  | May 29, 1929  | Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Rioux DQ'd after Heeney claimed he was hit low 10 times
50  | Loss  | 32–11–5 (2) | Otto von Porat | UD  | 10  | Mar 12, 1929  | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US |
49  | Loss  | 32–10–5 (2) | Jim Maloney  | PTS  | 10  | Mar 1, 1929  | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US |
48  | Loss  | 32–9–5 (2) | Gene Tunney | TKO  | 11 (15), 2:52 | Jul 26, 1928  | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
47  | Win  | 32–8–5 (2) | Jack Delaney | UD  | 15  | Mar 1, 1928  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
46  | Draw  | 31–8–5 (2) | Jack Sharkey | SD  | 12  | Jan 13, 1928  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
45  | Win  | 31–8–4 (2) | Johnny Risko  | PTS  | 10  | Oct 26, 1927  | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US |
44  | Win  | 30–8–4 (2) | Jim Maloney  | KO  | 1 (12), 1:17 | Sep 30, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
43  | Draw  | 29–8–4 (2) | Paulino Uzcudun | PTS  | 15  | Sep 8, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
42  | Win  | 29–8–3 (2) | Bud Gorman  | DQ  | 3 (10), 1:17 | Aug 4, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
41  | Win  | 28–8–3 (2) | Jack DeMave  | PTS  | 10  | Jun 24, 1927  | Coney Island Stadium, New York City, New York, US |
40  | Loss  | 27–8–3 (2) | Paulino Uzcudun | PTS  | 10  | Apr 1, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
39  | Win  | 27–7–3 (2) | Charley Anderson  | TKO  | 8 (10)  | Feb 25, 1927  | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US |
38  | Win  | 26–7–3 (2) | Jack Stanley  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 25, 1926  | National Sporting Club, London, England, UK |
37  | Win  | 25–7–3 (2) | Bartley Madden  | PTS  | 20  | Aug 9, 1926  | Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland |
36  | Loss  | 24–7–3 (2) | Phil Scott | PTS  | 10  | Jul 10, 1926  | The Dell, Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK | For Commonwealth heavyweight title
35  | Win  | 24–6–3 (2) | Tom Berry | PTS  | 15  | Jul 5, 1926  | The Ring, London, England, UK |
34  | Win  | 23–6–3 (2) | Charley Smith  | DQ  | 5 (10)  | Mar 18, 1926  | Royal Albert Hall, London, England, UK |
33  | Loss  | 22–6–3 (2) | George 'Blackie' Miller  | DQ  | 5 (20)  | Nov 14, 1925  | Town Hall, Durban, South Africa | Heeney's seconds entered the ring during the round
32  | Win  | 22–5–3 (2) | George 'Blackie' Miller  | DQ  | 8 (20)  | Oct 10, 1925  | Town Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa | Low blow
31  | Win  | 21–5–3 (2) | Vic Morace  | KO  | 4 (20)  | Jul, 1925  | City Hall, Cape Town, South Africa | Exact date unknown
30  | Win  | 20–5–3 (2) | Johnny Squires  | RTD  | 18 (20)  | Jun 15, 1925  | City Hall, Cape Town, South Africa |
29  | Win  | 19–5–3 (2) | Johnny Squires  | PTS  | 20  | Apr 9, 1925  | Town Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa |
28  | Loss  | 18–5–3 (2) | George Cook  | PTS  | 20  | Feb 12, 1925  | Premierland, London, England, UK |
27  | Win  | 18–4–3 (2) | Trooper Jim Young  | KO  | 4 (15)  | Jan 19, 1925  | National Sporting Club, London, England, UK |
26  | NC | 17–4–3 (2) | Frans Hendrickx  | NC  | 6 (15)  | Nov 3, 1924  | The Ring, London, England, UK | Referee stopped the fight for lack of effort by both fighters
25  | Loss  | 17–4–3 (1) | Phil Scott | PTS  | 20  | Sep 22, 1924  | The Ring, London, England, UK | For vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title
24  | Win  | 17–3–3 (1) | Ern Young  | TKO  | 4 (15)  | Feb 20, 1924  | Town Hall, Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
23  | Win  | 16–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | KO  | 9 (15)  | Dec 26, 1923  | Opera House, Palmerston North, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
22  | Win  | 15–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | DQ  | 5 (15)  | Nov 10, 1923  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
21  | Win  | 14–3–3 (1) | Jim Savage  | KO  | 1 (15)  | Oct 26, 1923  | Princess Theatre, Napier, New Zealand |
20  | Loss  | 13–3–3 (1) | Jim O'Sullivan  | PTS  | 15  | Sep 26, 1923  | Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | Lost New Zealand heavyweight title
19  | Win  | 13–2–3 (1) | Brian McCleary | TKO  | 14 (15)  | Aug 14, 1923  | King Edward's Barracks, Christchurch, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
18  | Win  | 12–2–3 (1) | Jim Flett  | TKO  | 9 (15)  | Aug 2, 1923  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
17  | Win  | 11–2–3 (1) | Cyril Whittaker  | TKO  | 15 (15)  | Jun 4, 1923  | Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand | Whittaker died of injuries sustained in this fight.[4]
16  | Win  | 10–2–3 (1) | Jack Complin  | TKO  | 9 (20)  | Jan 1, 1923  | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia |
15  | Draw  | 9–2–3 (1) | Ern Waddy  | PTS  | 20  | Dec 18, 1922  | Unley Stadium, Adelaide, Australia |
14  | Draw  | 9–2–2 (1) | Charlie Taylor  | PTS  | 20  | Aug 12, 1922  | Star Theatre, Mackay, Australia |
13  | Win  | 9–2–1 (1) | Tom Batho  | TKO  | 14 (20)  | Jul 22, 1922  | Theatre Royal, Townsville, Australia |
12  | Loss  | 8–2–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 20  | Jun 30, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia | For Australian heavyweight title
11  | Win  | 8–1–1 (1) | Jack Leahy  | PTS  | 20  | Jun 3, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia |
10  | Win  | 7–1–1 (1) | Jim Flett  | PTS  | 15  | May 1, 1922  | Jim Flett, Australia |
9  | Loss  | 6–1–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 20  | Mar 17, 1922  | Olympic Theatre, Mackay, Australia | For ANBF and Australian heavyweight titles
8  | Win  | 6–0–1 (1) | Max Gornik  | RTD  | 15 (20)  | Feb 11, 1922  | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Australia |
7  | Draw  | 5–0–1 (1) | Colin Bell  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 27, 1921  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
6  | Win  | 5–0 (1) | Jack Cole  | PTS  | 15  | Jul 23, 1921  | Kaikohu Hall, Te Karaka, New Zealand |
5  | Win  | 4–0 (1) | Albert Pooley  | PTS  | 15  | Feb 11, 1921  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Retained New Zealand heavyweight title
4  | Win  | 3–0 (1) | Albert Pooley  | PTS  | 15  | Oct 27, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand | Won New Zealand heavyweight title
3  | ND | 2–0 (1) | Frank Gribben  | ND  | 3  | Aug 27, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
2  | Win  | 2–0  | George Modrich  | PTS  | 15  | Jun 8, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |
1  | Win  | 1–0  | Bill Bartlett  | TKO  | 9 (15)  | Feb 12, 1920  | Opera House, Gisborne, New Zealand |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b McMillan, N. A. C. "Heeney, Thomas 1898–1984". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
2. ^ Mackay, Joseph Angus. "Tom Heeney's Bid For World Crown" in Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z., 1949.
3. ^ a b c "Expatriates — biographies", An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara — The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 18 September 2007
4. ^ a b c "BoxRec: Tom Heeney". Retrieved 27 March 2023.

5. Vogt, Anton: 'Tom Heeney in heaven,' New Zealand Listener, 14 October 1960

## Further reading

[edit]

* From Poverty Bay to Broadway: The story of Tom Heeney by Lydia Monin (2008)
* Kiwis With Gloves On by Brian F O'Brien, published 1960, Reed.

## External links

[edit]

* Boxing record for Tom Heeney from BoxRec (registration required)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* France
* BnF data

*[No.]: Number
*[NC]: No contest
*[ND]: No decision