Where does Gene Tunney Rank as a HW ATG

Some guys are doing drugs, and then posting.

"Likely top 50 LHW" :huh

Don't do drugs, chaps.

 

Didn't fight Harry Wills. Can't be ranked at all. Drew the color line.

 

Tunney is very underrated. Anyone who studied him knows he would have been major trouble for Joe Louis Or Rocky Marciano. Ali, who often put down past greats was very impressed with Tunney.

Tunney had excellent footwork and speed. He fought a very smart and tactical match. His chin was iron, as he was only down once in 68 fights, and it took Dempsey's best-filmed combination to do it. His stamina was also amazing, he could box and move all night. Underrated as a puncher, Tunney could be murder to the body. His right cross was decent. His jab was great.

Gene's biggest problem is he retired just at he reached the top at heavyweight. If he hung around a while longer, he could have fought Sharkey, Schmeling, etc...and achieved an even greater legacy.

Top 13-16 for me.

Some not so well known facts about Tunney

He won 19 of 20 rounds vs Dempsey and would have stopped him in a 15 round match if the 2nd fight was longer. Tunney wanted the 3rd match with Dempsey. Dempsey said no thanks.

The great Harry Greb didn't want to fight Tunney either after their 5th and final match as Gene had become too big and good for him.

Tunney offered an older Harry Wills a fight. Wills said no.

 

Bilzzy,

Tunney did, in fact, offer Wills a fight. Wills said no! This was before Tunney's match with Jack Dempsey.