Gene Tunney vs George Foreman

This wouldn't be much of a fight. Weight alone does not make or break a fighter. It does make a difference if you have a great difference between two good fighters or two poor fighters. Here you have two great fighters but just with difference styles.

It is possible that Tunney could outbox Forman but very unlikely. People tend to think Forman was just a big dumb clumbsy robotic fighter because of the way he lost to Ali. I have always maintained that, had he never lost to Ali, Forman would never have lost to Jimmy Young. The ALi fight took more than just George's undefeated record.

Forman's not a dumb fighter. He just fought a dumb fight against Ali. I dont think he would have had the same problem with Tunney. Tunney would not have enjoyed the same psychological edge that Ali created for himself. Ali did his homework and beat George in the only way a post-prime Ali could. It's similar to what Leonard did with Marvin Hagler. Not in terms of the battle plan as much as getting inside Marvin's head.

Tunney could possibly last into the middle rounds. Not many fighters have better foot work, while matching his work rate. IOW, some have great foot work but get little done while demonstrating. Tunney can do both. Still, it's not likely that he would go very far in the fight without getting caught a few times by Forman. As I said, Ali created untangible advantages for himself that Tunney would not have been able to duplicate. He would not fight the dumb fight he did against Ali.

Forman via KO in 6

 

Foreman ko's Tunney early.

Dow goes Tunney! Down goes Tunney! Down goes Tunney!

 

Ali intended to run against Foreman, but found that he was too adept at cutting off the ring, his strategy was made up and improvised on the night ,it was not part of some researched plan.

 

Tunney, a better, smarter, fitter, harder-punching version of Young, would outpoint or stop Foreman.

 

Tunney was a great fighter. He is one of only 4 Lineal HW Champs who were never stopped. 6'1" with a 76" reach and just over 190 Lbs. at his biggest. He beat everyone he ever fought. He did lose once to Harry Greb but he beat Greb 3 times and drew with him once. He beat Dempsey twice and no one seems to remember that Tunney knocked Dempsey on his ass. Sure, Dempsey dropped Tunney in "the long count" but Tunney was able to continue before 10 seconds was up. None of the matters anyway, you go by the refs count. Tunney would have a good fight plan but would it be enough? He was very smart but could he beat Foreman?

 

You're right no one seems to remember that Greb knocked Dempsey on his ass. Remind us when it was.

 

Never never NEVER dispute the supernatural abilities of Harry Greb on this or any other classic boxing forums. He'll return from boxing Valhalla to take your soul.

 

You must believe in santa claus also if you pick a lhw against foreman

 

Foreman would destroy him badly and i would fear for the life of tunney

 

If there wasnt reality around, Foreman destroys Jimmy Young in a fantasy fight, too. And gets beat by Frazier.

 

Tunney would beat Foreman. The way to beat Foreman was to outbox him and Tunney was the greatest pure boxer ever to hold the hwt championship. First 7 rounds are competitive but Tunney takes over as George tires. Gene wins a one sided U decision 10-5 in rounds.

 

atsch Do you always contradict yourself?

 

Tunney wins one sided? Cant see that

I think he could have some moments but Foremans ring cutting ability, size, strength, power and skills get this done.
Being able to outbox and stay away from a 3 years off Dempsey and being able to outbox and stay away from a prime Foreman is a different thing, Foreman would also be the biggest guy Tunney ever faced
Ali was taller, rangier, bigger & stronger than Tunney and used smart clinch tactics and movement out the gate vs Foreman but soon went to the ropes, Foreman was an excellent ring cutter
I cant see Tunney being able to move and box to a lopsided win when theres not much to make me think that could happen, somebody would have to come to that pick through bias imo.

 

I'm not sure Tunney has the physical size to win but he does possess the skill set and intangibles to give Big George problems. Great chin, great movement, heart and accurate punching. Foreman was past peak when he lost to Jimmy Young but if Young could do the trick I have a feeling Tunney could pose problems. Maybe not win because George did cut the ring off well and would have huge size and strength advantages but unless George blows him out early I could see this being a very tough match up for Foreman.