15 rounds. Prime for prime, who wins? Considering Sharkey gave Corbett nightmares, I'm unsure on who would've won this one.
This is a good match-up. Reading Adam Pollack's boxing biographies (In the Ring with (Corbett/Fitzsimmons/Jeffries) I was struck my numerous contemporary references to how very fast Sharkey was. That's something that got a bit lost, as the years went by and his grit and aggresion became more vividly emphasized in retelling. I suppose I'd pick Tunney to outpoint Tom Sharkey, but I'd expect The Sailor to be a quite difficult opponent all the way.
He gave pure boxer type hell by making them fight. 25 round I might take Sharkey. 12 -15 round likely Tunney.
Any man who could beat the great Harry Greb multiple times and then beat the great Jack Dempsey IMO beats Sharkey....
Sharkey seems to have had significant success as a pressure fighter, but the smart money would still be on Tunney!
We have more vision of Tunney but going by records and fight descriptions otherwise, I’d favour Tunney also by clear UD with Tom somewhat battered by fights end. I think Gene is quite the step up from Corbett, with better offence at the least.
I think Sharkey’s strength and physical style would make Gene very uncomfortable, he probably adapts and wins eventually either by late stoppage or decision
