Could Tunney survived after 10 second count

If Gene Tunney gotten off the floor before the 10 count, instead of 14 or, 15 seconds, would Gene Tunney, have evaded Dempsey's onslaught and survived? Your opinion...

 

I've always taken Tunney's word that he could have..I think he would have run like hell even more so..but would have recovered to do the same type of number on Dempsey that he actually did in the Long Count bout.

 

Yeah I thought that Gene knew what was going on and was waiting on the count to get up, as it looked like he was looking at the ref' at time and looked aware of his suroundings. A couple of secounds helps but I have the same result.

 

I think so.

 

Its likely. Two key reasons why.

1 ) Tunney was alert and looking at the ref during the count.

2 ) After the long count of 17 seconds, Tunney legs were fine, and he ran away from Dempsey.

 

Tunney allways maintained he could have gotten up inside the ten count.

He also said he didn't know if he could have survived Dempsey's onslaught when he did , which seems a pretty fair answer.

Tunney looked clear headed halfway through the count ,watching the referee intently, and his legs were ok when he did arise, his ice cool brain told him what to do when he was upright, and he did it.

 

Yes hes just taking his time listening to the refs count taking his time

 

he had his eyes on the ref from the second he hit the deck.
yes

 

pretty much it

 

Hey, Burt. This is a nice thread that you've started. My opinion on this topic is that Tunney could've survived. I am of the opinion that the whole "long count" issue has been blown way out of proportion. There were a lot of Dempsey fans and bettors in the audience who, of course, sided with Dempsey. The count was long, there is no doubt about that. Some people claim that it was 17 seconds, which just isn't true. It was about 14 or 15 seconds and Tunney was clear-eyed well before he got up. He took the referee's count like any smart fighter should do.

Well Burt, that is my opinion. You know I always enjoy reading your view on things, so get back with me. :good

 

Yes I think so.

As mentioned above he was clearly listening to the referee and was 100% aware of what was going on.

The fact that the referee decided to give him slightly longer than usual is pretty much irrelevant - albeit unfortunate.

 

Abdullah, Nice to hear from you as always....You remind me of myself ,a hundred years ago...There is an inate love of boxing lore,I sense...I think that Tunney was aware of the count,and would certainly arose by the ten count...But would he have the same ability to backpedal furiously ,without the additional six to seven seconds? We will never know...I also believe were the Dempsey of Toledo,1919 were in that ring in 1927, Tunney dosn't last the round...Eight years, and a three year layoff,tamed the tiger that once was Dempsey...But we will never know,that's for sure...B.B.

 

Burt, I couldn't agree with you more. I didn't mention in my post and a lot of other people fail to mention that this was not a prime Dempsey here. That is another reason why I think Tunney would've survived. Now, prime to prime, I still think Tunney would outbox Dempsey, but if Tunney ever got caught against the ropes the way he did in the rematch, then I think it would be over. Over in a devastating way. The Manassa Mauler had the ability to finish a man like nobody's business. Even the great skilled, hard-chinned Tunney wouldn't be immune.

The love that you sense I have for boxing is absolutely right. Were you a boxing fan your whole life? Since your dad was, I assume you were too. 100 years ago you say, haha. Come on Burt, you have another twenty or so years before you can make that claim. Let's just take it one day at a time. I hope that twenty years from now you are still on East Side Boxing schooling us youngsters on the history of this great sport that we all love. :good

 

Abdullah,I have been hooked on boxing since a young boy, because of location...As a boy of 6 or so, my parents lived next door to a trainer of the great lt, heavy champion John Henry Lewis..Every night I would go next door and hang out with stablemates of JH Lewismand our neighbor, the boxing trainer...I was forced to spar with whoever was in the house that night,and would always eat a salad with oil, as I still do today..I never met John Henry Lewis, in the apartment by the way...That is how I started ,my passion for boxing and it's great history, so long ago...B.B.

 

If the referee had been properly counting, I think Gene would have gotten up before the 10 count. As it was, it was similar to Ali - Liston 2 and, since Sonny was declared knocked out, Gene should have been, too. If that had happened, I wonder how Dempsey - Tunney 3 would have gone. Then again, with a win, Jack may have retired anyway.

As to whether Gene could have survived the Dempsey attack if he had been forced to rise earlier, who knows? If I had to guess, I would say probably not. When you're dazed, 4 or 5 seconds extra rest and extra time to clear your head can mean a lot. Jack would have been on him 4 or 5 seconds earlier. That much we know for sure. It may have made the difference.

Years later, I spoke with Jack about Gene Tunney. He offered no excuses for either loss. He said Gene beat him fair and square both times! Jack believed, that, in his prime, and properly trained, he would have beaten Gene. I believed him then, and I believe him now.