Gene Tunney vs Primo Carnera

Tunney embarrasses Primo but it does nothing for his legacy whereas a win over Godfrey,Sharkey or Schmeling would have significantly enhanced his rep, imo

 

Tunney batters and stops Primo within 10 or 12 rounds...not having to fight in the same mobile style he used vs Dempsey. Heavy punishment would be meted out by Tunney...precise, heavy punishment...especially with the right.

 

Yeah, it would have been seen as a mismatch really. Tunney would have been expected to win.

 

Or would it?

Stylistically Carnera is a nightmare for a smaller fighter, who relies heavily on his technical boxing ability, and does not have a big punch to act as an equalizer.

He handled Tommy Loughran easily enough.

This might be a lot more interesting than people are making out.

 

Gene packed a pretty good wallop, certainly much more than Loughran.

 

Yes, Tunney's offensive output would have been a nightmare for Primo. Think Sharkey did a number on him in their first bout? Tunney, as I've always maintained, was a much more focused, disciplined and complete fighter than Sharkey.

 

I agree, but it was not in the category Baer, Louis, or even Schmeling.

It is probably not going to bail him out, if Carnera is drilling him.

 

I think Tunney edges it in scoring with his combos.
But janitor raises good points.

 

Like Larry Gains? Loughran couldn't hit like Tunney, he was basically a left jab, left jab, left jab guy.

 

Sharkey dropped Carnera in their first fight.Sharkey's ko percentage? 25%

 

Loughran was a feather fist, but he was probably a better technician than Tunney.

Yes, I will make that statement.

Now if we put Tunney in against the Carnera that dismantled Jack Sharkey, then is is power going to bail him out?

 

Carnera improved after that fight, and Sharkey's power permits a few interpretations.

 

I don think Carnera had real power and I think the Sharkey ko was a fix so I'm not buying it.

 

Jack Sharkey and referee 'Gunboat' Smith shared credit today for providing the finest heavyweight fight since Jack Dempsey's unforgettable brawl with Luis Firpo. Sharkey did his part by thrashing Primo Carnera over a 15 round bout at Ebbets Field last night, and doing it so decisively that the "super man" myth surrounding the Italian was dissipated. However, had it not been for Smith, the fight would have ended in the 4th round with Sharkey winning on a technicality and 30,000 spectators robbed of the contest they paid $100,000 to witness. Sharkey, leading from the start and punishing his foe at will, floored the 261 lb. Italian with a smashing left hook to the jaw in the 4th. Primo was confused when he got off his back and on his knees. He pulled erect at the count of six, but hearing the shouts of his seconds urging him to take advantage of a full count he dropped back to his knees. Sharkey and his manager, Johnny Buckley shouted protests to Smith, claiming the bout on a foul because Primo went down without being hit--a rule violation punishable by DQ. Primo got up again, dropped to his knees a second time as Sharkey rushed forward, and finally came up at the count of eight. Smith urged Sharkey forward, but Jack ran to his corner and attempted to jump through the ropes. Sharkey then waived the foul claim and went back to fight. Encouraged by the knowledge that Carnera could be hurt, Sharkey blasted away with jolting left hooks to the head and body and went on to win as he pleased. The 15th was Sharkey's best round. He landed a terrific left hook to the chin as the round opened and for the remainder of the session drove Carnera about the ring." -United Press

Tunney would spear Carnera with his jab and cross his right when he wanted .