Muhammad Ali vs Gene Tunney

I think Ali a little too big for Tunney. However smaller men with comparable handspeed to Ali did pose problems. Could be a replay of the Doug Jones bout.

 

This isn't even competitive. Tunney has zero pedigree as a heavyweight, or at least as close to zero as possible and be called a champ.

 

Tunney gets thoroughly whooped. Prime Ali has the advantage in just about every department.

 

Ali is better, faster and a fair bit bigger. He'd pretty much bully Tunney.

Ali sometimes twisted necks in clinches. Patterson's back was injured by Ali's clinches, He pressed Frazier's neck down in the rematch. Roughed up and bullied Quarry in clinches. He really bullied Terrell too

 

Smaller fighters with their quickness, agility and having enough beard can be able to match their handicap and cause problems for the bigger, sluggish boxer: Louis - Conn, M. Spinks - Holmes, Jones - Ruiz, Holyfield - Bowe, etc.

Wouldn´t work with Ali. It became very clear with Patterson. Young Ali imho is the blueprint for nullifying this advantage.
You could put him in with Jones, 18X-19X Toney, CW Holyfield or LHW Spinks and he would look extremely solid just boxing them. Of course he´d take advantage with his range, reach and clinch.

 

Could go either way. Tunney was every bit as clever as Ali was and I could see Ali struggling with Tunney’s footwork and timing but on the otherhand unlike Dempsey If Ali manages to hurt Tunney I don’t see Ali letting Tunney recover.

 

Tunney by decision. 9-6

 

I don't think Tunney's speed looks quite as good against more modern fighters from a broader spectrum of talents.

 

I think that prime Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967 takes this fight on points over Gene Tunney, who has really good boxing skills. Ali back then had good rhythm, footwork, reflexes, speed and stamina. Ali would not use the ropes in those days and could go 15 rounds easily, which I see him doing against a good fighter like Tunney. This would look more like the first Floyd Patterson fight in 1965, but Gene would not have a back issue like Floyd did in that fight.

 

Tunney beat Jack Dempsey 2 x and had a nice pedigree vs class fighters coming up. Ali had some troubles with Doug Jones, Dropped by Cooper and lost to Frazier- had a rugged battle with Bonavena - Tunney would be trouble and grit - I favor Ali with some extra bedazzlement but close fight and does Ali chase or get chased

 

Underrated strength indeed.

 

Ali is better in every department, his notable wins are all a head and shoulders above Tunney and his second tier are his equal if not greater no one on Tunneys resume can hold a candle to Brother Ali.