One of those fights where technical skill can't overcome athleticism. Tunney's excellent jab and good fundamentals will keep him competitive but RJJ is just too quick and powerful. Jones is more than powerful enough to land left hooks and right hands that will stun Tunney and knock him down. And while Tunney was a solid puncher, he simply can't threaten Jones. RJJ by decision, 9-3 with RJJ likely scoring a knockdown.
Tunney. Most of Tunneys LHW resume is officially at HW. But so far as a CV against LHW legends go Loughran, Gibbons, Grebx3, Carpentier, Levinsky, Weinartx2, Wigginsx2, Houckx2, Lohman is better than RJJs list of names. Tunneys era is one where most of his LHW generation fought at HW that shouldn't be held against him. RJJ benefits from beating John Ruiz at HW and Toneys escapades at HW when being compared to modern fighters, Tunney should benefit when being compared to RJJ. The problem is all but Tunneys best few opponents have been forgotten and RJJ will get more credit for the same quality of opponent because you've heard of that guy and haven't heard of the comp for him on Tunneys resume. Tunney might have destroyed Weinart at HW but people forget that Weinart is 25-2 at LHW and is an ATG at that weight class. He beat Jimmy Delaney twice who while not as good as Jack was ranked in the top 10 Martin Burke was also in the top 10 multiple times. Jeff Smith was a MW champ who was ranked 6th in the first ring rankings.
I’m sure you’re aware that pretty much all of Jones resume at middleweight would have fought at LHW on fight night…. And all of his LHW resume would have fought at Cruiserweight/Heavyweight depending on the era on fight night right. The fact you weighed into that as more of a factor than Tunny’s resume is kinda of dumb.
I am aware or at least open to the possibility certain guys in RJJs era(mainly Tarver) could have competed at HW. Especially since the 2000s was a lull period in the division. LHWs not winning at HW is mainly a structual barrier not this unsurmountable disadvantage. But that doesn't mean RJJ and friends would dominate HW and do as well as Tunney/Archie Moores generation. It doesn't even mean anyone else would win a belt. It means if those guys fought a HW schedule of top guys they'd win some and lose some. Something which in 21st century boxing guys whose last name is not Chisora are not allowed to do. Needing to have a 0/1/2 is the main thing that makes LHW/HW combo fighters impossible. But Tunney got through his career with 1 decision loss to Greb he avenged multiple times. Something which none of Tunneys ATG rivals did though. I guess you could argue that Tunneys got a smaller sample size then the other great combo fighters but RJJs run was a similar sample size at mostly LHW. Note-When I'm talking about Archie Moores generation I mean his actual generation not the division he reigned over as champ. You're talking MWs? Its possible for MWs to compete at HW but these are usually someone who either A) fought at MW while super young and not fully developed yet. Stribling was a Featherweight early on and he won at HW. B)Is a unicorn. C)Has true HW power.
This. "oh but look at the resume and yada yada yada" no, just no... Tunney wouldn´t understand what Roy was doing and would be so lost.. We know Tunney wouldn´t fight Roy though because of something else though ?
