Well, Tunney only lost to one fighter... Greb... but he also beat Greb several times (went 3-1-1 vs. Greb lifetime). Tunney also beat Battling Levinsky, drew with Tommy Loughran, beat Georges Carpentier KO15, beat Tommy Gibbons KO12, beat Johnny Risko, beat Dempsey x2, and beat Tom Heeney KO11 among others. Greb is one of only three Lineal HW Champs who were never stopped... Marciano and Bowe are the others. 6"1" with a 76" reach and solid at 190 Lbs or even a few Lbs over. He would beat a lot of fighters 200 Lbs or less. Some 190 Lbs or less who could beat him IMO? Ezzard Charles Rocky Marciano Evander Holyfield M. Spinks, F. Patterson, and A. Moore would have a chance.
If Dempsey wasn't active, who's fault was that? If Dempsey wasn't 'passionate' enough, who's fault was that? (Especially considering in the second fight he had every reason to be the best he could be, to avenge the first defeat.) I always liked what Sean O'Grady once said, giving some insight into how a fighter must think: "When a fighter loses, he's never at his best. Because if he was at his best, how could he lose?" So the "film shows clearly" that Dempsey wasn't at his best. I say the film shows Tunney kicked that fanny, twice, decisively -- and if Dempsey wasn't at his best, that's credit to Tunney for making him look that way. And if Dempsey's lifestyle and lack of activity took a toll, that's part of his resume and makeup and a fatal flaw.
Yeah, but we could say the same for most great fighters. They are all human beings. Ali lost to Leon Spinks and looked awful losing to Holmes. We acknowledge that these guys aren't always at their best, and sooner or later they all fade. That's just the way it is.
Charles beats him Walcott too Marciano pummels him Archie Moore perhaps Floyd Patterson could with his superior speed Maybe Cruiser Holyfield Dempsey at no point beats him IMO.
In his prime, no one beats him at light heavy. Only one I can think of troubling him would be Roy Jones Jr.
He was a fantastic talent, no doubt about it. Marciano fits this criteria though. He had a knack for wearing down fantastic talents with his pulverising shots. I think cruiser Holyfield is also in with a shout, big time.