Better qualified to judge Louis's abilities: You, or Gene Tunney?

Good question

I would probably say Tunney would have better tools available to judge, but that his biases, and the issue that high level boxers' comments on boxers often seem to be more about their own biases and public image, mean I wouldn't actually put a ton of weight on comments by Tunney.

 

I don’t trust boxers at the highest levels opinion. Their ego is always involved. Tunney was a very proud man and thought he could beat everyone.

 

I don't know how much film Tunney was able to watch in those days. We can watch a lot of it now though just by a simple search.

 

I have a good opinion; a great opinion. In fact, it might be the best opinion.

 

Tunney of course forgot more about boxing than I'll ever know.

He also knew more about biases and alcoholism, so can we call it a tossup?

 

Pretty much this. A good informed opinion would probably be by a great fighter from a later era, less skin in the game.

Note: Not George Foreman.

 

Better qualified at judging abilities i say Tunney 100%.

However would Tunney be wanting to rate Louis favourably if that were to put Joe above the ATG Dempsey who Tunney beat twice.

 

Tunney is better qualified, but I am probably more trustworthy.

 

Tunney by 2000. Percent, if he's being objective. What he doesn't know about boxing isnt worth knowing

 

He did say Jack Dempsey would beat Marciano, Walcott and Charles in 4 rounds 1 after the other. So I question him.

 

Oh I'm gonna say Tunney. He reached the same level of boxing that Joe did.
He was an intelligent guy, he'd know what he was talking about.
But hed get things wrong, he was only human. Look at some of the stuff for example that big George has said.
So sayin that, I'd respect anything he said but take in to account that we all screw thing s up.
Nuff said.

 

I'm claiming the same. I'll include my Granddaughter in that. She ranks Joe Louis #1 all time. I have him at #2.

 

Tunney had a sharp mind for boxing and was well read. But you must be caefull quoting him as he was partail to White Irish figherts and fighters he beat.

 

I had originally thought it would've been myself, for various reasons. Namely arrogance and distrust, but it did dawn on my that Tunney would be completely objective and extremely attentive if they were opponents. If Tunney was to fight Joe Louis, he'd pick up on flaws I wouldn't see in a million years.