I've always thought those results stood out like a sore thumb (or maybe a sore jaw). It appears that there had been 10-round title fights around that time, and Jack fought in a couple of 12s, but 15 seems to have been the standard championship distance -- heck, even Dempsey's in-between fight with Sharkey was a scheduled 15. So why just 10 rounds, especially when everyone had to know Tunney was slick enough to give Jack trouble and the extra rounds to wear him down or end it might come in handy? I assume there was no question of Dempsey's stamina, or the Sharkey fight wouldn't have been a 15-rounder. I find this curious. Anyone have any insight?
I cant think of any other World championship fights at that time which were 12 or 15 rounds. This became the norm much later. I think that the 10 rnd journey helped Dempsey more than Tunney. If the fights were finish fights, Tunney would have knocked him out imo. I am guessing that Dempsey figured that his only chance to lose would be if he failed to score the early KO and tired out. And by the way, the controversial neutral corner rule was insisted on by Dempsey as well, from my recollection.
It is indeed puzzling. Just as Muhammad Ali's non-title fights with Oscar Bonavena and Mac Foster being the championship distance of 15 rounds.
I understand that Dempsey's team pushed for ten rounds, whether by tactical selection of venue, or terms of contract. Tunney was a little puzzled by this, as he thought that ten rounds favoured him.
Location had little to do with it. Dempsey's team did not want to go beyond 10. If this match was 15 or more, Tunney has a good chance for the TKO. Tunney offered Dempsey a 3rd fight. Dempsey refused.
