These faded heavyweights replace a faded Jack Dempsey, in with a Tunney that was arguably never better, more prepared or more focused. 1999-2005 Mike Tyson. Evander Holyfield from the first Lennox Lewis fight onwards. Larry Holmes of the first Spinks fight, to the end of his career. Muhammed Ali 77-81 Joe Frazier from Foreman I onwards Comeback George Foreman Thoughts?
That is actually a very, very good question. I am going to wait to see what some of the opinions are, but i think it is fair to say that Tunney is right in each and every one of these fights.
My initial thought is: In order to get them into the fix that Dempsey was in, we have to give these guys 3 full years off and then make each of them face an active and prepared Tunney in a comeback fight.
Regardless, of the other picks, I dont see Ali 77-81 beating Tunney imo. Ali was just so far gone by than, I would even favor the 32 year Dempsey over Ali. I think the right Ali would be the Thriller Ali for this case.
Tyson-Tunney: Tyson walks around the ring following Tunney, and eating some jabs. I think tunney is able to simply dance around Tyson without many problems: he may eat a few bombs but that's it: Tunney UD. Holyfield-Tunney: Tunney is able to outbox this version of Holyfield, but struggles on the ropes st times when Holyfield shows his warrior's heart. ultimately, I think the real deal loses a UD. Holmes-Tunney:Tunney struggles as holmes has a great jab and uppercut. Tunney stays away but the jab stays around Tunney, as he is at a minor reach disatvantage. I'm not sure about this one. draw IMO. Frazier-Tunney: I think Frazier may actually win against Tunney, it would depen weather he could catch up with him and land the left hook. I think he would eventually win a SD against Tunney, but probably not by a lot. Ali-Tunney- I think that this version of ali is too faded and slow to keel up with the original dancing master. Ali would certainly have his moments, but Ali would probably lose a UD. However the Ali from Manila would beat Tunney imo. Foreman-Tunney- Foreman has a big reach, size, and power advantage over Tunney, and I think he's probably the most likely to knock him out. plus foreman had a huge jab to take away tunney's movement. I'm going with foreman by KO. I think that if this was prime vs prime, tunney wouldn't beat any of these guys.
No doubt Dempsey was somewhat better prepared to meet Tunney in their second encounter, and had shaken off some of that 3 year layoff rust, but he was still far from what he had been from 1919-1923.
I think Tunney would be able to handle them all, Wars with Frazier and Evander, they still had some kick left and Tyson still dangerous but if Gene stays on his bike late rounds may be rewarding...I like Tunney but a would not bet the house with this company
I agree with your statement...Let all these fighters lay off boxing for three years, and come back at the age of v32, without your manager and mentor Jack Kearns'''And then face a great intelligent boxer such as Gene Tunney..Only with the same conditions, can we fairly compare the fighters...
Tunney - Tyson: Tunney UD. Mike might turn back the clock early on and be dangerous but after that it would be a whitewash. Tunney - Holyfield: Tunney UD. Holyfield has what it takes to beat Tunney but at this stage of his career I don´t see him beeing very successful. He would win rounds but lose a close UD. Holmes - Tunney: Holmes SD. Tunney imo was better than Spinks but I think it was Spinks awkward style and angles that made it difficult for Holmes. Tunney is much more convnetional. Still very close and disputed. Tunney - Ali: Tunney UD. Ali is too far gone back then to beat Tunney. Frazier - Tunney: Frazier UD. Remember that after Foreman I, Frazier had still Manila in him. I think this Frazier wins a UD. And a clear one. Tunney - Foreman: Tunney UD. Remember Foreman-Moorer? Moorer schooled Big George before the KO. Tunney was ore skilled and faster than Moorer. He would do the same without beeing knocked out.
Ali - the Ali who lost to Spinks was pretty much shot, tunney UD Holmes - the versions that lost to Tyson would lose a close decision Old Tyson (that faced Ettiene/Williams) - Tyson sparks him cold, no way Tunney could withstand the early barrage Williams/Ettiene were given. Old Holy - the version that lost to Byrd loses a similar UD Frazier - the version from 75-76 would still break Tunney down and KO him, if he can put ali through hell, he can KO Tunney Old Foreman - depends if Tunney can stay away from the power for the 12, if he does he wins, if Foreman lands he wins, probably Tunney UD