Tunney was a cruiserweight by today's standards. Not much chance against 2 guys who want to destroy him.
Loses to Frazier because of styles. Probably a beating, unless Frazier can put him out for the count then Tunney will last the distance. I doubt that would happen though. Tunney had great distance management, movement, and ability to fight in spurts. I think he would do well against Foreman. Tunney UD.
Certainly Tunney could beat either opponent. Certainly both had the power to stop anyone including Tunney. However.... Foreman although I rate him very highly lost very badly to the two Tunney type hwts in Ali and Young. Tunney is the superior textbook boxer vs either Ali or Young. It's no stretch of the imagination that such a quick, clever and durable fighter like Tunney could outbox George as did Young and Ali. Regarding Frazier I always maintain that truely great clever boxers such as Tunney will overcome fighters with significant technical flaws. Frazier major flaw was such a heavy concentration on his left hook and his lack of coordination on his right side ( in boxing terminology...no right hand). Tunney would see this and he does have the technical ability to nullify Joes hook by cleverly working always to his own left side. Tunney cleverness, first class conditioning and durability would get him a points win over 10-15 rounds.
Frazier would be relentless against Gene as this would not be a past the prime Dempsey. Gene was tough though and his heart would mean no ko. Joe on pts. Foreman would have trouble with Gene as Foreman had only one gear and that was bombs away. If Gene could survive early Foreman onslaught he could outbox a Foreman who tires. Gene in shocker wins on pts.
Tunney would clearly dance circles around Frazier .He had astonishing footwork , ballerina like grace. He didn't even like hitting ppl so look at whos actually trying to hit and who's not. It would be like taking candy away from a baby from little Joe the come straight forward swarmer. Tunney was a Marine, how would Foreman intimidate this guy? Without intimidation Foreman was like a lost child in the 70's. His thunderous right hand would land when predictable Foreman slows. Foreman was a brute who liked violence , Tunney liked Shakespeare .He would make Foreman look foolish.
I would think he had little to no chance of beating prime foreman (KO 7). And a slightly better chance vs Frazier (KO 11). But loses both. On his very best night he might best Joe, but can't see it.
Foreman was a monster but he was beaten by a 32 year old Ali and by Jimmy Young .. a prime Tunney would have a terrific shot against Foreman who has become overrated as a whole because of his second career .. many tend to forget how dangerous but limited he was in his first .. if you can take the best of both careers you have an all time top five heavyweight but you can't. Frazier is another animal and I don't see Gene beating a prime 1969 or 70 Frazier .. too much Joe.
I guess but he was extremely well conditioned, exceptionally fast and clever .. George could be given fits by boxers .. I give Tunney a strong shot.
He certainly would not be beaten by either. If you study Tunney's career one thing you will note is his incredibly deft footwork and maneuvering. 13 years and 67 fights and he avoided a single black opponent! A feat never to be duplicated.