You should see Tunney vs Tommy Gibbons. Savage body work. Gene was a great stick and move type, but he could brawl too.
While I like most of this post, please explain the " protected part " Tunney fought Greb 5x, and Dempsey twice, with Wills saying no thanks. He also fought Loughan, and Gibbons. I see quite a few hall of fame names there.
Yes he could brawl ,but in Gibbons he was brawling with a past prime 179lbs guy ,and he was staggered by him too. "This bout, although against a fading and aging former light-heavyweight phenomenon in Tommy Gibbons, was probably by far the most important victory of Tunney's career up to date. Knocking out the old light-heavyweight would have been nice for Tunney's reputation, but the fact that he knocked out the man that went the full fifteen with frightening puncher and heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey made the victory spectacular, and it also made the Dempsey-Tunney bout a natural. Tunney, however, didn't go through Gibbons without taking a few shots, and Tommy even dazed Tunney with a pair of terrific punches in the eighth. Gibbons held his own in many rounds earlier in the bout, but Gene's persistent attack, combined with his speed, intelligence, and strength caused Gibbons to slow down as the fight progressed. Finally in the twelfth, Gibbons was decked with a right. he arose only to be met with another right that put him out for the count of ten. It was a great victory for Tunney, who was only four bouts away from his career defining moment in lifting the crown off Jack Dempsey's head."
Rudduck and Cooney were nobodies. Hwt contenders and nothing more. Tunney was a highly skilled ATG and probably the greatest technical boxer ever to hold the hwt championship. A class "A" fighter vs level "B" and "C" fighters.
I'd have to say he was/is underrated. I know Ive been guilty of underrating, and sometimes under-appreciating, him. And when I look at the thoughts and opinions of some posters in here (that should and probably do know much more than me about boxing) it only reinforces my opinion as stated here. He is certainly an ATG in his and any division.
You have to realize 99 percent of the people on here are ******ed crack heads and racist toward blacks. They will always pick the white fighter over a black fighter. Gene Tunney fought the most part of his career fought 175 pound fighters or even smaller but based on the morons on this forum that makes you a great heavyweight. Just like their love for 180 pound Marciano who fought and lost to 177 pound heavyweights like Roland LaStarza but apparently both Gene Tunney and Marciano could beat Foreman, Tyson, Lewis, Frazier, Either Klistchko and everybody else.
I'm not unintelligent, a crack user, or a racist. I just think Gene Tunney (whom I dislike personally) was a great boxer, an all-time great, and clearly UNDERrated. I don't think he could beat Louis, Ali or Tyson. But he's not someone that should be taken so lightly. This is why I don't like participating in open forums. I don't want to argue or fight with strangers. I'll bow out gracefully.
damn, we lost another one RIP kolchak We didn't hear you often, but your presence brought with it a sense of clarity and wisdom.
Gene is UNDER rated in p4p but as a heavy let's be honest, he wouldnt last long with Foreman or even Frazier. Bob Foster would be a better match for him, or a 200 pound Micheal Spinks
I just meant I was bowing out of the discussion. I'll still be reading the posts - and discussions - and endless arguments.
the difference is that jimmy joung was bigger than tunney , taller, longer reach and more durable, he weighed 213 pounds not 190