Prime Dempsey vs Tunney.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by swagdelfadeel, Dec 28, 2015.


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  1. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    The 1920 version of Dempsey would have been a far more dangerous opponent for Tunney. Tunney boxed wonderfully in their two fights.
    That version of Dempsey had been inactive for 3, almost 4 years and was living the good life with celebrity friends and easy living. Four of the most popular heavyweight champions in history had multi year layoffs, Dempsey, Louis, Ali and Tyson.
    The thing they all have in common is that they were not as good after their layoffs. Dempsey in 1920 is a young hungry fighter with a take no prisoners attitude. At this time he is exceptionally fast and hits extremely hard.
    Tunney for the most part ran away,and he made the right decision. Running from a younger and hungrier Dempsey would be much harder to do. Dempsey was an underrated boxer too, and could mix it up with anybody. Most people's recollection of him is the Willard fight or the Firpo fight. Citing that he was wild and had no movement and unrefined. When a fighter is in control and is looking to put an end to a fight, this is what he looks like. When Dempsey had to box he did. And he beat some very good boxers: Battling Levinsky, Bill Brennan, Georges Carpentier, and, Tommy Gibbons. All great boxers, especially Gibbons, and he beat them all.

    Tunney would not be able to escape as easily and would have been caught much more than he was in their two fights.Tunney was smart and a great fighter but he would have to do more fighting this time and that favors Dempsey.I think Dempsey catches him more than once and is able to keep up with Tunney. Dempsey wouldn't have to overcompensate for lost skills this time.I think Dempsey gets in more shots to the body and slows Tunney down making him an easier target. Dempsey can hurt Tunney and keep him down this time. Dempsey could very well knock Tunney out but I will give Tunney the benefit of the doubt and say he survives a beating.

    Dempsey by UD.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 28, 2015
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 28, 2015
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  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    That is probably flattering to Tunney!
     
    janitor, Dec 28, 2015
    janitor, Dec 28, 2015
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  3. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace

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    Dempsey in his prime stops Tunney.

    He showed in the rematch that eventually his pressure catches up to Tunney. The difference was in his prime Dempsey could stand over Tunney and wipe him out.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 28, 2015
    lufcrazy, Dec 28, 2015
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  4. LXEX55

    LXEX55 Active Member Full Member

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    Dempsey by KO or TKO is around 8 or 9.
     
    LXEX55, Dec 28, 2015
    LXEX55, Dec 28, 2015
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  5. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Prime Dempsey stops Tunney...main reason for me is Dempsey had better closing speed...He would catch up to Gene...and smoke him.
     
    dpw417, Dec 28, 2015
    dpw417, Dec 28, 2015
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  6. JWSoats

    JWSoats Active Member Full Member

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    A great fight - I pick Dempsey to win but it would be a spirited, competitive battle all the way. Jack might stop him, but I would not be surprised if it went the limit. I believe Tunney's durability is underrated. Remember, Tunney was never stopped and the only time he hit the deck was against Dempsey in 1927. Prime Dempsey would be quicker, sharper, and better conditioned than when they met in 1926 and '27. In addition, prime Dempsey would have 'Doc' Kearns in his corner. Love him or hate him, Kearns had a way of bringing out the best in Dempsey. Kearns would have Dempsey well prepared and looking out for his best interests, unlike 1926 when he was hitting him with lawsuits left and right and "licking him for Gene Tunney."
     
    JWSoats, Dec 28, 2015
    JWSoats, Dec 28, 2015
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  7. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It would take a great all time boxer to beat prime Dempsey. With Tunney you have the greatest pure boxer in hwt history. Pick here is Dempsey by ko but it would not surprise me if Tunney outboxed Jack to take the decision. Never undersell Tunney. Very great , very smart, very well trained fighter.
     
    Perry, Dec 28, 2015
    Perry, Dec 28, 2015
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  8. LXEX55

    LXEX55 Active Member Full Member

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    Kearns said that had he been managing Dempsey at the time the of the first Tunney fight, he would have insisted on two tuneups, with the first one being Harry Wills, whom he believed would not have lasted two rounds against Jack. He said it was bunk about not being able to find a venue, they could have fought in Havana, Cuba. He said he would never have allowed Jack to fight "a runner like Tunney" after a long layouff. He blamed Rickard.
     
    LXEX55, Dec 29, 2015
    LXEX55, Dec 29, 2015
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  9. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think Dempsey would win easier than most think. (ie I think he would stop him within the first 5 rounds).
     
    Vanboxingfan, Dec 29, 2015
    Vanboxingfan, Dec 29, 2015
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  10. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Dempsey KO in 7
     
    reznick, Dec 29, 2015
    reznick, Dec 29, 2015
    #10
  11. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Dempsey,with his legs under him stops Tunney imo .But Tunney would never be an easy opponent for Jack.
     
    mcvey, Dec 29, 2015
    mcvey, Dec 29, 2015
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  12. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Just finishing A. Pollock 's 3rd Book on Dempsey. Was going to start a new thread but found this one. I think prime Dempsey catches him at some point.
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 4, 2026
    robert ungurean, Apr 4, 2026
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  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I would bet on Dempsey wasting him, especially over 12 and on a dry canvas.
     
    Seamus, Apr 4, 2026
    Seamus, Apr 4, 2026
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  14. McCallumsJab

    McCallumsJab Member Full Member

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    Dempsey always struggled with boxer movers in his prime and never faced one as good as Tunney until he did. Tunney would always outbox Dempsey, Dempsey has a punchers chance but it's low percentages
     
    McCallumsJab, Apr 4, 2026
    McCallumsJab, Apr 4, 2026
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  15. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Dempsey catches him eventually
     
    Melankomas, Apr 4, 2026
    Melankomas, Apr 4, 2026
    #15
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