It’s too soon to compare Wardley with heavyweight greats like Tunney, since he’s still unproven at the top level.
I think that if there's one weight class that complicates fantasy match between current or recent boxers and those from decades ago, it's the heavyweight class, due to the huge weight difference. Wardley weighed 243 pounds against Huni, while Tunney weighed 192 pounds against Heeney (Gene's heaviest weight in his career, having never weighed 190 pounds). Could this difference have been decisive in the matchup between the two? (Usyk and Fury in their rematch had an even bigger difference but the Ukrainian weighed 226 pounds and not 192) For me, this is the only question where, if answered affirmatively, one could imagine a possible Wardley victory. Otherwise, Tunney will be there for life "Style makes fights" but not only that, we're talking about two boxers of very different caliber. We'll definitely have to wait until the end of Wardley's career to see where he can go. I wish him great things but on the other side is one of the greatest champions of all time. As for skills there's little to say in my opinion. Tunney's Ring IQ, footwork, speed, and distance control, he also had an excellent chin, stamina, and workrate, would have allowed the Fighting Marine to easily control the match against a fighter who was clearly losing to Huni before finding the knockout punch. So if the answer to the initial question is no I'd say Tunney won by decision with a dominant performance, similar to his first fight against Dempsey (against Heeney was Tunney's last match of his career and he was still very competitive).
Hi Ike. Yours is an excellent observation regarding the weight differential, and it plays a really big part in evaluating an old time HW who's weight was sub 200 lbs, albeit an ATG, ala Tunney, Dempsey, Marciano, Louis ? and the latter day fighters who weigh 240 and upwards, can a average champ with a 40/60 pound advantage win over a great champ that was below 200 ! intriguing no doubt. stay safe buddy, chat soon. Mike.
Tunney was essentially a LHW and not a big one. How many current LHWs do you think can keep Wardley walking them down? Because Tunney would have the same problem and is essentially untested against men weighing above 185lbs. Except he wouldn't have that problem because IIRC he drew the color line.
