The Fight That Should Have Taken Place After The Long Count Never Happend It Could Have Went Either Way But I Think Tunney Could Have Pulled It Off
Would have been a good fight. I think Tunney would have taken control after a back and forth first ten rounds and come out with a UD.
Jack Sharkey, as a technician, and as a Boxer, is vastly underrated. He was nearly as good as Tunney technically speaking. And was a bit better puncher. His problem was he couldn't seem to over come his emotions at times and at other times he seemed as if he could of cared less wether he won or lost. Tunney on the other hand was cool as a Cucumber and quite competetive. This would be a great bout if you go for pure Boxing. I'll go with Tunney in this one, in a back and forth battle.
Even at his impressive best, it's not likely for Sharkey to escape Tunney's consistent excellence in mapping out situations and making sure he is a few steps ahead. Sharkey would cause problems early on until Tunney starting to pump out the staright shots and increase the pace. When Sharkey starts to sleep, Tunney will be asking too much of him with his speed and output and pull out for a Unanimous Decision.
If this fight took place I would certainly put money down on Tunney if anybody for the reasons others have said. I do think however that Sharkey was a verry technicaly complete fighter who could be a handfull for anybody with the right plan and his head screwed on. Maybe, just maybe, Tunney would be wise to avoid this fight and take a safer match with Risko or Heeney instead.
I think your right Janitor. Sharkey was quite sound technically and perhaps this was the reason this fight never came off.
the main reason the fight never came off was, Tunney had achieved his goal of becoming heavyweight champion. Defended the championship in the biggest fight of the era, and fought the most credible challenger when it was time for him to fight again. Sharkey had lost to both Dempsey and Risko, and could not beat Heeney. Tunney dominated Heeney. Tunney would have timed Sharkeys leads and controlled him with the jab, pulled him out of position and connected with the over hand right, as Sharkey tired, Tunney would be able to plant and flurry more, always just a little to quick to be caught by the Gob. Tunney UD Sharkey, aided by points deducted as Sharkey would have most likely become more than a little agitated by his inability to catch Tunney, whom he disliked so much.
Tunney was just as good technically, perhaps even better than Sharkey, the decisive difference, the "edge" if you will, was Tunney's superior discipline and control over his emotions. Gene Tunney wins a solid decision over Jack Sharkey.
Jack Sharkey was a superb talent, an all round solid package of smart boxing, strong inside work and a complete arsenal (will make a video soon), but all pistons pumping, Tunney still has the trump card in his observation - he just knew what to do when called for as his career proved. Sharkey had trouble with Heeney, Tunney dealt out a measured beating - that's just one exmaple of the superior adaptability that Tunney possessed in solving out styles and bringing home the bacon. Sure, Sharkey would bring plenty to the table, but Tunney would very probably find a way to take the legs off the table. 10 or 15 rounds is too long a time for Tunney not to get an impulsive character like Sharkey by the neck and start to undo his screws with fast-paced, sharp boxing.
