Gene Tunney vs Cleveland Williams

[yancey]

15 rounds, primes

What happens?

[JWSoats]

I would expect Tunney to handily outbox him, wear him down, and stop him around the 12th round.

[McGrain]

Tunney in a showcase.

[yancey]

This fight could have some dangerous moments for Tunney, imo.

[RockyJim]

Tunney's too smart and too fast on his feet

[clinikill]

Tunney schools Williams.

[Theron]

Remember this fight would not happen like the Ali Williams fight, Prime vs prime before Cleveland took a bullet in the stomach was a much better fighter.

[MRBILL]

Tunney all the way, as long as he doesn't get tagged hardcore within the first 5 rds.... Williams has a punchers chance in this affair.....

MR.BILL

[red cobra]

Tunney all the way, and yes, maybe even by a stoppage.

[Surf-Bat]

Williams by KO. Tunney is severely overrated defensively on this forum and has never fought a HW with the combo of size, speed, reach and power that Williams possesses. I can't see Gene's chin holding up to that kind of punch or what Williams brings to the table. And with the Big Cat's speed he WILL be hit, hard and often.

Tunney can't get away or keep out of reach. Williams KO7

[Surf-Bat]

Originally Posted by orriray59

I'd favor Tunney but you never know. Williams hit like a truck and he was quite big. If he caught Gene square on the chin with a left hook as he came in, it could be very detrimental for the Fighting Marine.

This. Except there is no "if" about it. He WOULD. Tunney is no Willie Pep defensively. Not even close. Look at the write ups of his fights. He was never all that hard to hit (not easy, but not particularly difficult). He good defensively but never considered a wizard. The two wins over the faded Dempsey have severely bloated his rep in this department.

[red cobra]

Originally Posted by Surf-Bat

Williams by KO. Tunney is severely overrated defensively

Originally Posted by Surf-Bat

on this forum and has never fought a HW with the combo of size, speed, reach and power that Williams possesses. I can't see Gene's chin holding up to that kind of punch or what Williams brings to the table. And with the Big Cat's speed he WILL be hit, hard and often.

Tunney can't get away or keep out of reach. Williams KO7

then he must have had a Jake Lamotta type beard, because he was only down once in his career. You severely overestimate Williams.

[Surf-Bat]

Originally Posted by red cobra

[b]
then he must have had a Jake Lamotta type beard, because he was only down once in his career. You severely overestimate Williams.

A tribute to his(and his braintrust's) careful matchmaking. Look at his record and compare it to many of his contemporaries. No contest. Tunney was good at picking on aging middleweights and such (LaMotta fought all kinds of class-A punchers. Tunney did not). How many big hitters that could have really tested Gene's chin did he face? None.

I think the only thing being overestimated here is Tunney's worth as a heavyweight and, even more to the point, his defensive capabilities. He was a good defensive fighter, but far from being some unhittable phantom, which he would need to be if his narrow frame is going to survive being whacked by someone so much the naturally bigger and stronger man, which Williams was.

The Dempsey fight has led everyone to completely overrate Tunney in the defensive dept. All one has to do is go back and read up on his numerous fights. What prime contender did Tunney face who had trouble hitting him? Where are the descriptions of Tunney's airtight defense and defensive wizardry? I haven't found it yet. That's all I'm saying. I could be wrong, but I honestly haven't found anything that supports this other than two fights against a has-been JD.

[yancey]

Originally Posted by Surf-Bat

Williams by KO. Tunney is severely overrated defensively on this forum and has never fought a HW with the combo of size, speed, reach and power that Williams possesses. I can't see Gene's chin holding up to that kind of punch or what Williams brings to the table. And with the Big Cat's speed he WILL be hit, hard and often.

Tunney can't get away or keep out of reach. Williams KO7

I'm glad to see a viewpoint favoring Williams show up on this thread.

When I posted this topic I thought Tunney would probably win on points but that this was a fight that had danger signs written all over it.

As pointed out above, Williams brings some real physical attributes to the table.

I can definitely see Big Cat getting outboxed early but then start developing real confidence along with amped up aggression as he realizes he is the stronger and more athletic fighter.

I can see him getting to Tunney and then overwhelming him.

Wouldn't bet much either way on this one.

[Mendoza]

Originally Posted by yancey

15 rounds, primes

What happens?

Tunney via late round TKO.