If Wills Had Taken That Tunney Fight?+ 3 Q's

My best guess:

1. Wills was ready to be taken by somebody like Tunney bu then.
2. If I am wrong, and Wills really was good enough to beat Tunney at this point, then I don't see Dempsey doing too well.
3. We don't really know how good Godfrey was, but based on what we know, I would have to favour Wills.
4. Again it depends on how good Godfrey really was, but based on what is certain, Dempsey likely had enough left to take him.

 

1. I feel confident in picking Tunney
2. If Wills had won I still like Dempsey. Primarily based on the Sharkey and Uzcudun results.
3. Based on the Carnera video against Godfrey I would lean towards Godfrey over Wills at that point in Wills' career.
4. If Godfrey had won I think he puts up a competitive fight against Dempsey. I would pick Dempsey but I think Godfrey's youth and invaluable sparring sessions lend me to believe he would have been the far more credible threat to Dempsey than Wills any time from 26 onwards.

 

Tunney was a tough opponent, fit and nimble and took a good shot I am not sure how Wills would counter his speed and I dont think he could stop Gene.

Wills looked very good against Firpo (nice right hand) and Madden but Uzcudun was too strong for him at that point of his career. It is a shame that for whatever reason Dempsey-Wills never happened because that would have been a great styles match-up.

I am not sure of the facts of the era and have heard conflicting stories but this is a fight that in retrospect would have raised Dempsey stock or not, depending on the outcome.

I still favor Dempsey over Wills because of styles but it would have a good fight style-wise and both men would have been hit. I think Tunney beats both men at that stage...prime not sure

 

I at least would not be at all convinced that the fight would ever have come off even if Wills accepted Tunney's newspaper challenge. I think these newspaper challenges were more political maneuvers to muddy the waters concerning Wills getting a shot at the title. There was always some other challenge to Wills being tossed onto the table.

If the fight came off, Tunney would probably have danced away the whole fight and the likelihood is he would have gotten the decision, if deserved and also possibly if not. I think the powers-that-be would probably have gone for a no-decision fight which would have left the judging in the hands of the rather corrupt reporters of the day who were often on Rickard's payroll.

 

Yet more Dempsey apologists spinning Wills career to try and improve Dempsey's standing. As transparent as glass.

There's little proof these fights were offered to Wills and Wills said Tunney ducked him. But yes believe the agenda ridden Rickard over Wills. Wills was in pole position for a title shot after 3 eliminators and Dempsey/Rickard ducked him and ignored contract law and ignored the NYSAC ruling to duck the fight.

1. Who knows, could go either way by 1926 but Tunney has no pedigree against a SHW of Wills skill

2. Dempsey wouldn't have fought him. He had a style to give Dempsey fits and hence Dempsey and Rickard ran for the hills. Wills was older and further past prime than Dempsey though.

3. He would have beat Godfrey who was a level below.

4. Probably loses but who knows, sparring footage for the cameras doesn't prove a whole lot.

 

We are talking 1926. That year Wills was beaten badly by Jack Sharkey, and KO'd in 1927 by Uzcudun

Tunney knocks him out.

Dempsey knocks him out

Godfrey knocks Wills out too

Dempsey would not fight Godfrey. If they did, I'd pick Dempsey.

IMO Wills is a little over rated. Slightly past their prime versions of Langford and McVey beat him. Wills took over the head to heads when they were well past it. Wills drew twice with Jeannette, who was also on the downside of his career.