Never realized how tough of a fight this would be to choose. Tunney is all types of wrong for Louis but Tunney also was knocked down and almost out by a lame Dempsey. Louis KO 13 but I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Tunney got a decision.
The Tunney/Conn comparison is decent, but Conn was quicker than Tunney and had better movement. To me, he also had a better defence as well. These are what troubled Louis, but Tunney didn't do those specialist things which Conn excelled at, as well as Conn. And Conn still got KTFO'd twice. If Jack Dempsey while way past his best is capable of landing a hook which for all intents and purposes was a KO punch, so is Joe Louis. Not to mention, Louis likely wouldn't have fought 40+ rounds in six months before this fight, nor would he have cut down to below 200lbs. Louis catches up with him and takes him out, methinks. And I know Tunney normally didn't fight like Conn did. But if he doesn't vs Louis, he gets KOed and quickly.
I'd need 3 fights from these two. This matchup would be one of the best trilogies in history. My immediate answer would be Joe, but Gene was such a smart fighter.
Gene was smart, had a great jab/cross, was a timing and distance master, great chin, tremendous stamina and was just not someone anyone would have an easy time with. But Joe knocked out one too many slick boxers for me to think Tunney can survive to get a decision here. Either he remains standing to the final bell black and blue to lose a decision, or Joe eventually lands something that keeps Gene down for good.
I like Joe Louis by unanimous decision in this one, Tunney would be tough all the way through, though. I can see him Landing plenty on Joe and perhaps even scoring a knockdown.
Let's see... Louis has the second or third best resume ever at heavyweight. And Tunney has almost no resume in that division. I'll have to think about this one.
Pretty close to a 50-50 fight stylistically I’d say, probably edge it to Louis since Tunney isn’t all that tested against HWs. Still, he does have all the tools to beat Joe.