Replace Conn against Joe Louis in their first match with Tunney? And it's the Tunney from the long count fight. How's it playing out? Does Tunney go better than conn and defeat the bomber.. Or does Louis catch up with Gene at some point? Old Dempsey dropped him, so does this 1941 version of Joe finish the job?
Old Dempsey did drop him, but couldn't finish him. I doubt if a young Jack could have either. Tunney by decision over Louis. Gene may have been the best ever.
A less fiery, less kocky, more conservative, more controlled (all than Conn)Gene Tunney outpoints Louis. Tunney could possibly have been "caught" by Louis, like he was by Dempsey, but it's not a given, as I think the kd and subsequent Long Count episode was an anomaly. One thing I feel strongly about is that Tunney would have been more controlled and cautious vs Louis than Billy was in those latter rounds vs the Brown Bomber and wouldn't have elected to go for a knockout. If Tunney had outboxed Louis and had done as well as Conn did early on, you can bet that decision would have given Tunney the title....he woulda been champion for sure. Not that far fetched a result as I think Tunney was a great fighter obviously.
Tunney would be an absolute nightmare for Louis. He's too fleet footed, fast, skilled and unlike Conn far more durable and smarter.
In agreement with this. Tunney had the skills, experience, speed and chin to the Louis of 41. Keeping at a distance and keeping a cool head would have been his greatest chance of success. You had to keep focused against Joe or you ended up ass on the canvas, but Tunney had the ability to do just that. He also had a excellent chin. So with that said I see Gene taking a decision over Joe. A rematch would have interesting as Joe was always better second time around.
This hypothetical matchup would never have happened. After all, Louis was black. Tunney would never have gone into the ring with a black man; all that perspiration from a Negro would have offended Tunney's sensitive nature.
Tunney: 6' 0", 190 lbs, 76" reach Joe Louis: 6' 2", 200 lbs, 76" reach Tunney's footspeed, would definitely trouble Joe. Plus Tunney had fought in numerous scheduled 15 rd fights.
Tunney was typically a bit more reluctant in style than Conn was in this fight. That leaves the door open for Louis' offense, the likes of which Tunney never tasted. The closest he ever dealt with something like Joe was when Jack caught a few fleeting seconds of his old self. That didn't go so well. I think Louis does well as the chaser and ultimately catches him.
I don't consider Tunney any better or more durable than Billy Conn. Tunney hit harder but Conn was even faster with his hands and moved faster on his feet. Joe Louis was consistently knocking his challengers out. Billy Conn was KTFO. Tunney would be no different.
Louis by stoppage. Tunney's become a bit blown out at heavyweight for mine and Louis if anything is understated at times.
