Dempsey vs Tunney, 1924. 15 rounds. 22 x 22 ring.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Jun 20, 2016.


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  1. Mr.DagoWop

    Mr.DagoWop Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    I wouldn't say the Gibbons fight was easy for Dempsey. Tunney was 100x the technician and mover that Gibbons was. Meehan was king of the 4 rounders. Anything after that and he was toast.
     
    Mr.DagoWop, Jun 20, 2016
    Mr.DagoWop, Jun 20, 2016
    #16
  2. Mr.DagoWop

    Mr.DagoWop Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    I would say that 1919 Dempsey runs over Tunney but 1924 just doesn't. Might as well be two different Dempseys
     
    Mr.DagoWop, Jun 20, 2016
    Mr.DagoWop, Jun 20, 2016
    #17
  3. apollack

    apollack Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It is one of those unanswerable debates. One thing we all know is you don't get better sitting idle for three years. When fighters don't fight for three years, they lose something. Hence, the Dempsey that Tunney would have to face in 1924 would have been a lot more fast, ferocious, busy, and relentless, with better footwork. We don't know how Tunney would deal with that, or whether his style gives Dempsey fits no matter what. We do know that after Dempsey had one tune up, against Sharkey, he nearly KO'd Tunney. And that was in 1927. Still, other than that round, for the most part, Tunney comfortably outboxed Dempsey.
     
    apollack, Jun 20, 2016
    apollack, Jun 20, 2016
    #18
  4. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    Tunney's conditioning and stamina were superior. He could move and box like Meehan did, not for 4 rounds, but 15.

    Though it doesn't get much press, Tunney would have likely Finished Dempsey had one of the matches been 15 rounds. Dempsey was down and could not see at the end of the fight, asking where Tunney wasn't the final bell to shake hands.

    A third fight was offered. Dempsey refused. Whatever bitterness there was in the ring did not carry over into their lives afterward. Dempsey helped Tunney son successfully run for Congress.
     
    Mendoza, Jun 22, 2016
    Mendoza, Jun 22, 2016
    #19
  5. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Dempseys absolute prime was earlier. 1919-1921 was the very best Dempsey. Dempsey stated himself that his win over Willard was his peak.
     
    Perry, Jun 22, 2016
    Perry, Jun 22, 2016
    #20
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