Gene Tunney v Joe Louis

Sometimes a fighter is so dominant he prevents other fighters from becoming more renowned. This is currently happening in the heavyweight division. Had there been no Klitschko's, this might have been an era of wonderful fights where guys like David Haye, Eddie Chambers, Povetkin and even Arreola traded wins and losses.

Look at the reign of Roberto Duran -- had he not been there, there would have been Cerdan, Buchanan, Viruet, Dejesus. Someone has to be champion all those years -- it could have been legendary fights.

Or in reverse -- we all loved the Barrera-Morales trilogy. Say Pacquiao beats both before they meet, is it as exciting?

Any champion that is dominant for more than five years facing the best available has done something truly special. It takes talent, discipline, mental fortitude and a drive -- a desire to keep the throne.

Tyson had talent in abundance, and we know how that went.

So I respectfully disagree, Kurupt, about Joe Louis and the importance of name fighters on your record. When one is dominant, they don't become names so much as splotches on the canvas.

 

He did but he used lateral movement too, it was a strong part of his skillset. He would certainly be more cautious and defensive against Dempsey, but not quite as much as is made out. Maybe earlier in unfilmed footage he was more aggressive but he was certainly a boxer who could move.

He needs to land counter rights on Louis in the way in to keep him honest

Tunney boxes differently to Conn, he's more a pure outboxer, where as Conn likes to box at mid range and inside. I think Conn is easier to catch on that basis. Conn has higher gloves though so Tunney is an easier target when that target presents itself. In turn Louis fans will argue Louis's footspeed wasn't quite as good by Conn 1.

Tunney maybe is more comparable to a cross with Conn's movement and with Schmelling's right hand and power in that punch.

 

This is a myth that has been passed down through the ages based largely on the Dempsey fights. Tunney was in fact more of a mid range fighter than an outboxer for the majority of his career and wasn't all that hard to hit at all. The idea of Tunney being this elusive, defensive boxing master is not supported by just about every fight report we have on the guy leading up to the Dempsey bouts. A good mid range boxer with a good (not great) defense. But very hittable as far as boxers go.

Louis, with his hand speed, would have no problem tagging Gene many times in a 15 round fight. Plus Tunney isn't going to out-strategize Jack Blackburn. Blackburn saw and fought against every style imaginable in his long career and against more great fighters than Tunney ever saw in his life. So needless to say he would not be overly impressed with anything Tunney brings to the table. Joe and Jack could (and would) devise a plan to take down Gene.