Could any middleweight give the young Gene Tunney a fight?

Tunney did not "lose" the second bout. A number of the neutral papers scored it for Tunney, some also perceived a one-sided affair in Tunneys favour. Some papers (Pittsburgh papers namely, surprise surprise) did score it for Greb though, but to call this a "loss" is pure fabrication.

 

While Greb won the first fight, lets me mindful that the Pittsburgh Windmill's fists did not do the initial damage, it was Greb's head that smashed into Tunney's eyes and nose in round one. The results were a great loss of blood and discomfort for Tunney. Then Greb went at Tunney hard for the rest of the fight. Some called for the fight to be stopped. Though Tunney lost, the crowed cheered him for his efforts under difficult circumstances. Tunney was tough as nails. Most fighters would have folded.

Under modern rules, this is a clash of heads and a NO COTNEST type of fight. However, the books have it as a clear decision win for Greb. So in actually the only clean win for Greb in the record books is not a clean win at all.

By the way, Tunney would have fought Greb again for a sixth time. Greb resfused and said Tunney was getting to big for him. I tend to view the five fight series in Tunney favor, but with no film and disputed results its hard to say for sure.

 

I think Thomas Hearns, with his power and mobility could have beaten Tunney at just about any weight. The key thing about Tunney, is that he fought during a time, when most men did not know how to use the ring, and although Dempsey to some degree did, was coming off a layoff. Hearns could have decisioned him or even stopped him late.

 

Not a chance. Tunney was much bigger and good puncher, better than many of the guys who stopped Hearns.

 

atsch

 

Tunney had more power than Hagler or Barkley, and better skill than Leonard? I don't think so.

 

It wasnt just a closed eye that impaired Tunney. Both Tunneys brows were split open one of them through an artery, and his nose was broken in two places.

There is no way that was all done by a single headbut.

 

He certainly had more power than Hagler of Barkley.

The guy was a solid hitter at cruiserweight.

 

I think it is fair to say that the majority of observers called it for Greb.

It sure as hell cant be written down as a win for Tunney.

 

I think Sugar Ray Robinson could have outboxed Tunney, assuming of course, they were fighting evenly within the same weight perameters.

 

Well they wont be.

Robinson is a natural junior middleweight while Tunney is a natural cruiserweight.

The only light heavyweight robinson ever took on was the light hitting Joey Maxim. There is a reason why he didnt fight Archie Moore.

 

No mention of Gerald McClellan?

He was 180 something pounds himself shortly before weigh ins.

 

Tunney spent a fair amount of his career at lightheavywieght during a time when the lines that separated middleweight and lightheavy were somewhat blurred. Also, archie Moore was a knockout artist in his day, whereas Tunney wasn't. He would try to use his game of out foxing and outmoving his opponent against the one man that he couldn't.

Robinson by decision.