Why didn't Gene Tunney have more fights?

Those are the ratings reflect end of the year standings, but I really don't think it takes a giant leap to see Godfrey was a top and worthy challenger just as Sharkey was.

When exactly did Tunney announce his retirement?

 

Would that be the same Jack Sharkey who got KOd in a title eliminator by the guy Tunney won 19 of 20 rounds against and who was coming off a Draw with Tom Heeney, the guy Tunney knocked out and a loss to Johnny Risko (The guy Heeney just defeated).

Ane would it be the same George Godfrey, who had previously lost to Sharkey and was coming of a loss to Johnny Risko? And then would also lose to Larry Gains?

Both of those guys eliminated themsleves from Title contention in fights against guys who Tunney was clearly better than.

 

On the contrary, Godfrey's rise toward the top had been checked a month earlier by an upset loss to Risko (and that's after having only JUST broken into the title picture in his previous fight, when he edged out Uzcuden), while Sharkey had lost to Risko and drawn with Heeney earlier in the year, and was considered on the decline.

Consider:

"Jack Sharkey today is no longer the fighter who blazed so brightly against the fiercest kind of opposition."
-William Muldoon, Jan '28.

"Risko-Sharkey Fight Proves Latter 'Out' as a Contender
Jack Unable 'To Take It' Any Longer
Although Lacking in Some Respects, Heeney and Risko Now in Lead."
-Alan J. Gould, March '28

"A victory over Risko, who brought the sudden elimination of Jack Sharkey from Tex Rickard's elimination series, would be a long step forward for Godfrey. The reigning "black menace" has never made a very good showing in his bouts in New York, although he can point with pride to a recent victory over Paolino Uzcuden in Los Angeles.
...[Risko,] The ex-baker boy of Cleveland raised himself to an equal plane with Tom Heeney, the accepted challenger, by his victory over Sharkey. A defeat of Godfrey would bring him no nearer to the heights."
-Associated Press, June '28

"Sharkey is definitely gone."
-Henry L. Farrell, July '28

"On a comparative showing against Tom Heeney, Tunney stands head and shoulders above them all."
-Walter Turmbull, July '28

"Not content with having the best claim of any of the heavyweights to the title vacated by Gene Tunney, Risko plunges back into action..."
-Toledo News, August 1928

Literally a day or two after beating Heeney in July of '28.

By August 1, the title had been declared officially vacant and an elimination tourney was already in the works.

 

Exactly.

Suzie has been shown these simple truths over and over again, but he insists on knowingly lying about what the situation was. :roll:

 

Tunney not having hall of fame heavyweights George Godfrey and Jack Sharkey on his resume keeps him from top 20 heavyweight of all time, in my opinion.


I personally think Tunney-Sharkey is a 50-50. Both have equal skills, Tunney has better movement, feet and jab, Sharkey has the much more proven resume against all sizes, colors, and styles of fighting. Tunney certainly does not have a better heavyweight legacy than Sharkey.

Tunney-Godfrey is an interesting one. Tunney never fought a man that big, let alone such a powerful fast tough super-heavyweight. Tunney was used to controlling smaller, older fighters at long range..he might have found himself to have quite a bit of trouble at long range with a tall big powerful heavyweight. Tunney wasn't used to having to work inside, and muscle with bigger guys in close. His chin is also not tested against a superheavyweight calibre puncher, other than a past his prime jack dempsey.

 

But it isnt Tunneys fault that those Hall of Fame heavyweights blew their chance to meet him. Actually, you can add a third Hall of fame champion in Harry Wills, who also blue his chance to meet him.

If anything, it is Johnny Risko who was probably next in line for the shot against Tunney (if we go solely on the results). I dont think he would be much of a chance to beat Tunney, do you?

 

Yeah I looked that up after my last post to you. Thanks. :good

 

http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cd...--en-Logical-20--1----boxing+biography-all---

Here is an account of one of Sailor Burke's KOs, that i just stumbled across.