Gene Tunney vs Archie Moore

Moore on pts IMO.

 

Interesting matchup. I’ve always thought this would be one of those fights where the outcome depends a lot on what weight class they meet at and under what rules. Tunney wasn’t a natural heavyweight by modern standards, today he’d probably be considered a cruiserweight, but he was definitely the bigger man compared to Moore, who was more of a career light heavyweight. Tunney carried the extra weight more comfortably and fought most of his major bouts above the light heavyweight limit. That alone makes it tricky to call straight up without taking context into account.

Stylistically, I think Tunney would be a real problem for Moore. He was incredibly disciplined, had great footwork and rarely made mistakes. The guy was basically a machine in the ring, very calculated, very methodical. Moore thrived against aggressive fighters he could counter or trick into mistakes, but Tunney wasn’t that type. He didn’t overcommit, didn’t get reckless and had the gas tank to go 15 hard rounds without falling apart.

But then again, Moore had more tricks than a magician. One of the most crafty, seasoned fighters to ever do it, he could adapt on the fly, he was dangerous with both hands and he carried real power even as he moved up in weight. He also had an underrated jab when he used it and that weird cross-arm defence could mess with people who weren’t used to it. If anyone could figure out a way to crack Tunney’s rhythm, it’d be someone like Moore.

That said, I think if they fought ten times, Tunney probably wins six or seven of them. Not because he was necessarily better in a pound-for-pound sense, but because his size, durability and style would match up well against Moore. Probably something like a 15-round decision, Tunney outboxes him, keeps him turning, doesn’t get drawn into traps and just accumulates points over the stretch. I doubt he stops Moore (the guy had a chin and serious survival instincts), but I could see Moore getting outmanoeuvred in a lot of those rounds.

Still, wouldn’t be a walk in the park. Moore would land something sneaky at some point and make it interesting. Just not sure it’d be enough to flip the outcome.

Curious what others think though, feels like one of those matchups where there’s a good argument on both sides depending on what version of each fighter you’re picturing.

 

Ezzard Charles outboxed Moore and heavyweight wasnt really his weight so at Heavyweight I favor Tunney..

At Light it could be an entirely different matter..but then again that is where Charles outboxed Moore...

 

Tunney was really outclassing the field when he retired from the sport. I mean he was wrecking guys. Ending Gibbons, Dominating Dempsey ending him in the second fight, Ruining Heeney. He was on some roll. He really beat Greb as well in their final fight, Greb claimed a pre existing rib was aggravated by Tunney which is probably true but he acknowledged that Gene was getting too big for him. So Tunney was on fire and only guy he had issues with was a possible GOAT in Greb.

Same goes for Moore. He was dominating the field with the exception of another possible GOAT in Charles who bested him in all 3 meetings. Which i think bodes well for Tunney who was great from outside and using angles. Now Moore gets an added bonus as he faced both white and black competition.

This depends on how one views the fight playing out. Both guys are really impressive on film.

 

Tunney’s chin and speed make him a tough match up

 

Greb admitted Tunney had improved but Harry was also fighting with one good eye.

I'll take Moore. Tunney had no experience fighting men of Moores complexion and would have little defence against the Ol' Mongoose's trickification.

 

I do not hold Gene Tunney in high regard, but I will pick Gene by decision win in this hypothetical match up.