Gene Tunney vs Max Schmeling

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by 70sFan865, Mar 23, 2020.


Who would have won?

  1. Gene Tunney

    25 vote(s)
    78.1%
  2. Max Schmeling

    7 vote(s)
    21.9%
  1. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Schmeling was the more accomplished heavyweight. Close but I take him to win by late KO.
     
  2. CharlesBurley

    CharlesBurley Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Feb 23, 2020
    Schmelling is a better technician with better head movement. Tunney the quicker footwork and maybe faster hands, not that there's much in it. Both masters of their use of range. Lead towards Schmelling but not much in it.
     
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  3. RightLeftCombo

    RightLeftCombo Active Member Full Member

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    Feb 21, 2019
    Close, but I'd take the quicker, smoother Gene to win a decision over Max.
     
  4. unitas

    unitas Boxing Addict Full Member

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  5. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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  6. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm apparently in the minority here, as I would favor Schmeling. A little surprised this one is so one-sided. Not because I think I'm "correct", but rather because I'd have imagined this one being close to even.
     
  7. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 30, 2019
    I am also on Schmeling side, but that's because he's one of my favorites :)

    But to be honest, I think that Tunney relyling a lot on his jab could be dangerous. Schmeling was extremely good against jabbers.
     
  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Tunney would be landing his straight right behind his jab ,his quick feet would be the difference here imo.
     
  9. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    My thought process was similar, in that Schmeling was very clever at finding ways to disguise that mean right.
     
  10. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    That's possible, but Schmeling wasn't easy to land on. He was very good defensively.
     
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  11. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    Dec 17, 2019
    Tunney in a close one but only because he's better on his legs. Schmeling has more power but he’s not knocking out Tunney.
     
  12. Lonsdale81

    Lonsdale81 Member Full Member

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    May 19, 2025
    Both highly intellient fighters but I'd lean toward Tunney winning a close one.. His speed, footwork, and ability to set a pace that frustrates opponents would likely neutralize Schmeling’s counterpunching.. Max' right hand could pose a threat but Tunney’s consistency & defensive acumen against high calibre fighters like Dempsey, Loughran, Gibbons & Greb make me think he can pull this one off too.
     
  13. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Tunney is too well rounded and quick for Max imo, wins a close but clear decision
     
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  14. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    I am going with Prime Max Schmeling over Prime Gene Tunney. The Max Schmeling who beat Joe Louis is better, in my opinion, than any version of Gene Tunney. I am with Schmeling, by decision win, in a close one, with fair judging.
     
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  15. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    Dec 17, 2019
    Have a feeling that the best Scmeling may have been way back in the 2nd fight with Sharkey. I haven’t seen a lot of Schmeling but did sit and watch the entire we wiz robbed fight. He was. Clear win. Schmeling was self possessed skilled efficient quick smart etc. in that one. He was a step ahead of Jack the whole fight. That version of Max would have been a very tough out for Tunney Dempsey and all the tween champs(Max thru Braddock). Louis at his best and properly prepared though Max never would have beaten.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2025