And actually beaten Louis? If that had been Gene in there against Louis, on the night Billy Conn almost beat him, could he have won the fight? Tunney certainly had a lot about him, including patience, perhaps conn s downfall in the Louis fight.
don't think so. Tunney was about 15-20 lbs heavier than Conn, which would make him a slightly bigger target for Louis. We don't know how good Tunney's chin was because he didn't face a big puncher at heavyweight bar Dempsey. And Dempsey's feet were so slow at this point that he didn't land much cleanly. And when he did land cleanly, he had Tunney badly stunned. Louis is quicker handed and harder hitting than Dempsey, certainly this version of Dempsey. And while Louis was slow on his feet due to his propensity to conserve energy, he could show surprisingly quick feet at times. In a 15 rounder, i can't see Tunney not making a mistake and getting caught. Especially since he kept his hands low which would mean that at some point, a Louis combination would get through and end it. In a 12 rounder, i might actually slightly favour Tunney. But not in a 15 rounder. I think if Louis did not catch Tunney in the first 12 rounds, he would become more agressive with his feet and close the distance in the championship rounds. Louis tko 14 in a 15 rounder.
Tunney would have given a good accounting of himself … people have said he’s overrated so much to the point where IMO he’s become underrated … but Louis was too much for him.
Certainly think he could give Louis a run for his money, he was skilled enough. The only thing that I would say, is that old Dempsey managed to put Tunney on the canvas, think what a still young Louis does!!
Dempsey hit like an SOB but I don’t think he had Louis’ take you out with one shot power. Louis connects with Tunney, Tunney ain’t getting up.
I can't see Gene remaining perfect throughout the entirety of a fight with Louis, he may very well be up on the cards before the stoppage though
