Gene Tunney vs Jack Johnson

Johnson, i think he was a little more complete defensively and on the inside.

 

Maybe Gene out hustles Jack, maybe Jack out muscles Gene. :think

 

If one considers that O'Brien who was not as big, strong, or durable, as Tunney according to papers was even with or Jack Johnson on his prime as champion, you would have to go with Gene. Tunney's movement skills, reach, and superior outskills would earn him a decision. O'Brien on film was a timid type of fighter. Tunney was not.

 

I would say Johnson on ballence, but it is not a confident pick.

 

That's basically what it comes down to. Tunney has the edge in speed and footwork, Johnson has the edge in size and power. Hard to pick a winner based on what's been seen and done by either fighter.

 

I dont see it as being a very exciting affair, possibly one for aficionados of defensive boxing.I give the nod to Johnson but he would have to be focused ,Tunney was no slouch as a boxer.

 

I'm torn on this 1 and can't really pick a winner, neither faced anyone like the other. I'm not as sure as some that Tunney wins the fight on the outside, Johnson was hard to hit and used his range well aswell as good counter right but Tunney has the better jab and speed. As the fight comes inside Johnson probably busts him up though.

 

Two of my all time favourite fighters to watch ever - I think Johnson might just be the type of fighter to get under Gene's skin and take him out of his game plan - Johnson was a genius fighter in my opinion - he really was something else and he also had tremendous power too. Gene was a master boxer don't get me wrong and had imaculate timing but Johnson was so hard to get at at all let alone beat and generally when Johnson decided the time had arrived to finish it he'd quit his playing games and that's where the fight would end generally a la Burns, Jeffries, Ketchel - trying to box with Johnson would be playing right into his hands too so I think Gene for once is frustrated that his precision and clinical boxing isn't working for some reason.

 

Tunney takes this I think.

 

Another tough one! Jack and Gene are so different stylewise hat it's tough to predict a winner. Would Jack be forced into chasing Gene or would Gene have to come to Jack? It seems like Jack liked to have his man come to him and then he would counter while Gene liked to set up his man with movement and textbook boxing. I guess it boils down to which fighter can impose his will and battle plan on the other. If Johnson can set traps and force Tunney to close with him then he is favored. But if Tunney can make this a track meet and stick and move as he did against Dempsey then I guess he takes it. A very tough fight to call.

 

But the time when Johnson ends it, he was against 2 middleweights and a shot fighter, I dont think he would have that over Gene.

 

That's a pretty questionable statement IMO. How many world class boxers did he fight that approached the style and quality of Tunney? The one that comes even the most remotely close was Philly Jack O'Brien, who reports say fought Johnson on even terms for as long as their fight lasted.