Tunney thought Dempsey beats Louis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Jul 1, 2025.


  1. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Which HE NEVER had that was all his manager Doc Kearns. Dempsey's sparring partners were virtually all black.
     
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  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    I'd say that's his opinion, man, but I'm in no way sure that this even was his opinion.
     
  3. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    I’m not sure about that, considering he says that the greatest of all time discussion is only between Dempsey and Louis, if Tunney felt that way surely he’d have brought himself into the mix?
     
  4. RockyValdez

    RockyValdez Active Member Full Member

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    I was referring to Tunney, who never faced a black man.

    I dont think hiring black sparring partners proves you arent afraid to put your title on the line against world class black fighters. I would also say that having a black sparring partner in camp is NOT equal to "virtually all" of his sparring partners being black.
     
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  5. RockyValdez

    RockyValdez Active Member Full Member

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    Or one could read it as false humility. "I think the guy I beat twice is better than the other top guy, make of that what you will."
     
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  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Not 100% sure but I believe something about money ... all not saying that impacted his opinion either ... just boxing being boxing ...
     
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  7. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Dempsey could ,,beat Joe Louis. But I'm not going to bet on it.
     
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  8. IM JUST SAYING!

    IM JUST SAYING! Putting belt to ass Full Member

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    Do older fighters ever think the best fighters of their day would lose to the best fighters of subsequent generations?
     
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  9. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    It probably did impact his opinion in my view. But yes, you can never be 100% certain.
     
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  10. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    That is your cue to say "Gee Gene, didn't you beat Dempsey twice?"
     
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  11. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hi Buddy.
    I am not 100% sure either, but have read articles over the years that suggest the fall out might have come about because of the controlling influence of Jack's wife Estelle Taylor, also the split between Kearns and Dempsey was attributed to Taylor being unhappy with the way Kearns was treating Jack, and said maybe it was time to go alone, Kearns was also not very fond of Taylor, from what I have read on Jack's career, who knows where the truth lies ? .
    stay safe buddy, chat soon.
    Mike.
     
  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    you may be right. It rings a bell .. we’ll get A Pollack to weigh in.
     
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  13. Pedro_El_Chef

    Pedro_El_Chef Active Member Full Member

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  14. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Lol. Not often.

    Many even have their favoured contemporary beating two of the subsequent generations best in ONE night - and with one arm tied behind their back!

    One of the exceptions seemed to be Jack Sharkey who gave due praise to certain fighters who came after him.
     
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  15. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    I would see it as my cue to say “Damn Gene, you’ve got the wine goggles on again!” :lol: