I just read for the first time your long, observant post on Tunney. You said it much better than I could but I have had a similar view for years that among all the former heavyweights that Tunney would have been a good match for all of them except Louis. Joe would knock him out. Rocky, probably. Liston and Ali both have something to be concerned about.
Can you please point out all the great heavyweights Tunney beat and at what stage of their careers were they when Tunney beat them? Thank you in advance.
The one great heavyweight Tunney beat was Dempsey. His is not a story of cutting like a scythe through the heavyweight division. He was a successful middleweight and light heavyweight whose style reminds you of James Corbett, but who was tough and smart and skilled enough to make trouble for Liston and Ali and other greats. So some of us think.
Hi Buddy. I think it's fair to say that Tunney's stock has risen over the decades, where once he was viewed as more of a scientific boxer, the boxing fraternity of late ,have come to appreciate his toughness, grit, and determination, as personified in the fights with Greb, having said that, I can't imagine Liston or Ali, having even a seconds concern about facing the 6ft 13.8st Tunney, when you consider the fighters they both toppled, in particular Ali, pretty sure they both would be in good spirits, and unconcerned, thats ( as always ) just my opinion, others might disagree. Nice to chat. stay safe hombre.
Would it be fair to say that Ali could beat every boxer Tunney beat, especially where they were in their careers, when he beat them but there are three fighters Ali beat that would be huge favorites against Tunney, two would be pickems, and several who would be live dogs?
Thanks. If they didn't respect him they might be in for a surprise. Ali had trouble with Karl Mildenberger early in his prime, Tunney was much tougher than Mildenberger. Liston had trouble with smart boxers who could move. Walcott, Charles and Tunney fit that profile.
Hi Buddy. Fair and valid points about Liston and movers, regards Clay ( as was ) having trouble with Mildenberger is also valid in so much as Karl was a southpaw, and that may have contributed to him posing problems for Clay, over and above anything else.
Hi Buddy. I was aware of the points lead, but thanks for putting it out there, something @newurban99 may have not have known genuinely ? stay safe amigo. chat soon.
Why southpaw Mildenberger is mentioned here I have no idea? But to put that fight into perspective; Mildenberger's left eye was badly cut in the sixth round and almost completely closed by the eighth round. Mildenberger was knocked down in rounds five, eight, and ten. Referee Teddy Waltham of Great Britain stopped the bout at 1:28 of the 12th round to protect Mildenberger from further punishment. The fight was scored by rounds. At the time of the stoppage, Referee Teddy Waltham had Ali ahead 7-2-2, and Judges Felix Ohlet and Nat Fleischer (editor of The Ring magazine) each had Ali leading 7-3-1. The Associated Press had Ali in front 9-1-1. I think that counts as a non issue!