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

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cross_trainer, Mar 27, 2022.


Who is more qualified to assess Joe Louis?

  1. You

    15 vote(s)
    62.5%
  2. Gene Tunney

    9 vote(s)
    37.5%
  1. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Who is better qualified to analyze Joe Louis's abilities: You, or Gene Tunney?

    And why?
     
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  2. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    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.
     
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  3. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    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.
     
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  4. JabbaTheGut

    JabbaTheGut Active Member Full Member

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    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.
     
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  5. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    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?
     
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  7. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    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.
     
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  8. KernowWarrior

    KernowWarrior Bob Fitzsimmons much bigger brother. Full Member

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    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.
     
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  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Tunney is better qualified, but I am probably more trustworthy.
     
  10. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Tunney by 2000. Percent, if he's being objective. What he doesn't know about boxing isnt worth knowing
     
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  11. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    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.
     
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  13. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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

    red corner Active Member banned Full Member

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    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.
     
  15. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    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.