Marciano vs Tunney?

I think you used the wrong word, he was completely genuine, just mistaken when he said the fights were close.

dis·in·gen·u·ous
not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.

Also his comment to his wife was no excuse, it was a wry & excellent jest.

 

I agree, It seemed to be an honest and harmless mistake on the surface. I don't think the word disingenuous was appropriate here at all. Neither was this.

 

Ah but I think-& I certainly hope-that this was just a funny jibe from a friend.

 

Jack Dempsey on Gene Tunney Quote:
Don't let anyone tell you Tunney couldn't punch. Many fight fans have that wrong impression today. In our first bout in Philidelphia were Gene wrested the title from me he landed a right counter to the head that staggered me in the first round. I didn't recover fully from that punch during the rest of the fight. And at Chicago in our second scrap , Gene drove me to one knee with a head blow in the 8th round. Mind you that was after I floored him for the long count in the 7th. Indeed , I found gentleman Gene surprisingly explosive.

Jack Dempsey

I'll add this to the evidence as to why I think Tunney could beat Marciano.

 

Unlike Louis,Charles ,Moore , and Walcott , Tunney would be in his prime.

 

Tunney wouldn’t be facing a two year rusty Marciano (not sure Tunney beats a prime Dempsey). He’s extremely unproven at HW. Think only seven fights? If other master boxers couldn’t stop him I have my doubts Tunney would. Tunney is a not fun matchup for the Rock though. Very much a stronger Lastarza type.