When I watched the Dempsey films I always thought Tunney was good but a bit ordinary and basic. Did everything very well but never did more than he had to. I wasn’t sure I saw someone who would be able to beat someone like Charles, Moore, or most all time greats his own size or near it. However, Gene’s performance against Gibbons sealed away all doubts for me as to his level. The counterpunching, measurement of distance with that multifaceted jab, his great anticipation of punches, the variety in defending himself and in his combinations, the accuracy, among other things, showed me someone who could give anyone his own size a fight and maybe a few those even bigger than him. There’s a reason Greb said Tunney is “different from the rest." The guy was special. This content is protected This content is protected Which fight footage sold you on Gene Tunney being great, if any of them did at all?
I think you've described Tunney's skills well, to which I'd add a high Ring I.Q and the ability to face difficulties (as in the first match with Greb and the rematch with Dempsey). In fact, it's no coincidence that he beat Greb three times, Carpentier, Loughran, Gibbons by stoppage and Dempsey twice. We're talking about one of the best fighters of all time in my opinion.
I was sold on Tunney way before I saw him fight, just like I was with Benny Leonard, and for the same reason: I was fascinated by the way they talked about their mental approach to boxing.
Gene was the total package. In his first fight with Greb, Tunney’s nose was broken right away and his eyes cut by round 3, and he still lasted 15 full rounds with Greb. Then after being soundly beaten, he was willing to face Greb again and again. To the point by the final encounter Greb basically conceded competing against him saying Gene’s getting a little too big for me. On film his complete carve ups of Carpentier and Gibbons are impressive displays of ring generalship. However I think, the best case of how good his focus was, is in the second Dempsey bout, he clearly picks up the count, and utilizes the extra time for maximum recovery, considering the crowd frenzy, and having your bell rung, it’s a remarkable display of keeping your cool, and then showing how good his ring IQ was by the next round, he figured he had to do something to slow Dempsey down and get his respect and he sat down on perfect right hand that dropped the iron jawed Dempsey even for just a moment. Tunney could move, could box, could mix it up, and had an underrated right hand to go with Marine toughness and will to win. An all time p4p fighter, at HW I wish would have hung around for a few more years to see how good he could have been in that division.
People overlook how quickly Gene's body recovered against such a murderous puncher, even including the long count he was on the move as soon as he got up.
Hi Buddy. On point and excellent post, couldn't agree more, I have been an advocate of Tunney's greatness almost since I joined up, for the reasons you expertly bought up, any fighter that signs up to fight Greb whilst still nursing the wounds from the night before, is some fighter, along with Leonard was a thinking man's boxer, a perfect foil to Dempseys brutish, snarling, style of fighting, so yes a great fighter, and in the top 5 of LHWs imo. stay safe TLC, chat soon. Mike.
Thanks for the kind words Mike. Between the available footage we have of Tunney and the very clear cut results he was getting in the ring, against all opponents not named Greb, it is evident he was operating at an extremely high level. Very adept at measuring distance and always alert with his low guard and focused eyes, he could evade or attack at will against any caliber opponent. Plus he left the sport at his absolute prime. He weighed 192 for his final bout against Heeney indicating he was filling out in the division. I think had he stayed around for another 2-3 years and made 2-3 more defenses he could have cemented his legacy at Hw to go along with LHW. Of the succeeding 5 champions between Tunney and Louis I would think the only real threat would be Schmeling. Based on recent form and common opponents you would make Tunney a healthy favorite over Sharkey. (Dempsey and Heeney being common opponents). I think he out boxes Baer and Primo and he demolishes Braddock. Now I don’t think he would have lasted the full 5 years until Louis, but a few more defenses could have converted a few critics all these years later.
