Gene Tunney v Ezzard Charles at 175/180lbs?

It seems that whenever a great fighter and his record are objects of legitimate criticism on boxing forums, some seem to think such assertions are hatchet jobs. I think that Gene Tunney was a truly great fighter and may have matched up well with Ezzard Charles in a bout, but I agree with the assertion that Charles faced far better opposition throughout his career than Tunney did in his. In my book, Joe Louis had a far more impressive record than Jack Dempsey did, but I have quite a bit of admiration for the latter as a fighter.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Much of that has to do with the age and quality of his opposition.

Tunney was no featherfist, for sure. He had good enough power. Nothing to stop and take notice of though.

 

Tunney is often undersold as a jab and cross type of fighter. He had a good body attack too and a decent KO% ( 56% ) when you consider his style and opposition level. He could hit some.

 

We don't need to get into who really won what fights etc etc. This is something we've delved into before along with many others. My only reason for commenting is you acting like Greb somehow mastered Tunney and thus Charles should be able to. That is why I posted what I did. Greb did no such mastering of Tunney, and even if we take how you think the fights should've been scored, Tunney still beat him two times. If you're able to beat someone two times, I get the feeling they certainly aren't beyond you in skill.

 

K, you overlook the fact that Gene Tunney was ALWAYS the BIGGER man than Harry Greb. By an average of about 10 pounds. Greb was always a true MW and at 5ft8" could always make the 160 lb MW limit as shown by the fact that shortly before he retired he made the weight of 158 pounds against
the younger prime Mickey Walker. While Tunney @ 6ft1" was a sturdy LH morphing quickly into a sturdy heavyweight. Think of a later Marvin Hagler more than holding his own against a growing LH Michael Spinks....Lest we forget...

 

Both beautiful back foot fighters. Could be a negative affair.

Charles catches Tunney cleaner and more often rather than the other way around.

Cobra by decision.

 

It's a terrific fight .. I think Tunney may have been a touch faster, had the better chin, defense and stamina but Charles was a magnificent combination puncher who has demonstrated more game on film .. I just don't know ..

 

I'm almost willing to say "I don't know" here...they were two truly magnificent fighters...that's for sure.

 

bump?

 

Everyone who goes looking for the mover ends up looking silly, and then comes the frustration and then it usually gets worse from there unless the puncher catches him, and I think charles would chase Tunney and get frustrated and end up losing on points with Tunney keeping him off balance and offsetting him with the jab

 

Dang! this is a really tough call, Charles is quite possibly the greatest light heavy of all time, but I like Tunney here and have no qualms with anyone who picks Ezzard Charles in this one. All have sound arguments.

 

Disagree. Razor Ruddock vs Billy Miske is one of the best possible matchups in the sport.