Gene Tunney vs rocky Marciano

Exactly. People overrate Tunney horribly. He matched himself very carefully throughout his career and avoided the risks that his contemps like Greb, Walker and Leonard happily took.

 

What a great match up. Tunney's resume is thin at heavyweight but he looks so damn good on film. He also bested Greb and Dempsey two great swarmers.

 

I wouldn't say this is entirely true, after getting a god- awful hiding from Greb he was happy to get back in with him 9 months later, and 3 more times after that,if he was that selective I don't think he would have got back in there with Harry.

 

Tunney hnew boxing was a student of it and not having his Greb fight 's
on film or Greb Walker fight on film really hurts me more then any
hurtful comments of the Dempsey haters hurt me

 

This is on the shortlist of fantasy fights I'd love to see.

 

If Gene can stay on his bicycle and pepper Marciano with his jab ala Dempsey then he stands a good chance of taking it by decision. Marciano never fought a HW who moved like Tunney did at his best. This would be a very good fight and a tough night for both of these two. I'll lean toward Marciano but not too far.

 

Prime Marciano was far better than the Dempsey that Tunney met.

Also, if this fight were over 15 rather than the 10 Tunney beat Dempsey at, the odds tip moreso to Marciano.

I love Tunney. He was a great lightheavy who looks great to my modern eyes on film. But he would be in with the type of threshing machine that unseats his style.

 

Happy for the chance to fight for the title he lost? And in his own hometown? I wouldn't call that the mark of courage. That's a chance any fighter would leap at without hesitation. He kept fighting Greb because he never could satisfactorily best him. Until their final fight when Greb was far on the downward slide, blind in one eye and at a huge weight differential.

Compare Gene's resume to his contemps. No Black fighters, no huge risks. It's all right there.

 

Tunney could have called it quits after receiving the decision in their second fight but he didn't he met Greb a further 3 times.
Where should Tunney have fought Greb for the US LHvy title? Pittsburgh , the Motor City Garden? Greb was not popular in his hometown and as champ had the say where the fight took place.

Bottom line, after being badly beaten up by Greb he faced him another 4 times,that is undisputable,and undeniable.

 

I see it going a bit like Marciano-Walcott. Tunney piles up the points and is probably ahead on the cards when he gets stopped.

 

Tunney UD. He's too tough, fast and smart. Underrated power too.

In fact Tunney has a good chance to beat quite a few popular champions before Rocky. I'd pick him over Louis and Johnson.

 

I think that many posters are underrating Gene Tunney as a great heavyweight solely because he fought and beat 2 heavyweights Johnny Risko and Tom Heeney, and then retired marrying a millionheiress... Tunney morphed into a very sturdy heavyweight before he retired who was a great boxer, a great astute fighter who was a very punishing hitter with a hurting right cross...Who truly knows how he would have fared if he continued to fight as a heavyweight ? An alltime great heavyweight ? I think very likely...

 

Tunney over Joe Louis? I can't see that. At no time in his career did Tunney show or prove he was capable of beating a prime joe Louis

Both in resume and stylistically Marciano holds the clear edge over Tunney.

 

Weirdly, I would give him a better chance over Louis than Marciano, even tho I rate Louis as better than The Rock. Pastor, Farr, Conn... Joe had his issues with each. Tunney is better than any of those.

 

I can as Tunney has a styles match up and plenty of stamina and chin to spare.

Tunney is as smart or smarter than Schmeling, had Joe Walcott like movement skills with his feet and jab to befuddle Louis. In addition Tunney had an all time chin for his weight, only down once in his career from Dempsey’s best-filmed combination. Tunney could box and move for a full 15 rounds. Amazing stamina, and very tough. See his first fight with Greb.

Tunney UD over Louis.

As for Rocky he had to come from behind in some fights. Tunney is better and somewhat comparable to LaStarza who some say edged Rocky in the first fight ( even Marciano's brother said it was very close ) , and was in the lead in the second fight until two fouls ( Low blow and hitting on the break ) took the wind out of LaStarza's sail.

Tunney UD Marciano.