Why did Tunney retire after just two heavyweight title defenses?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by newurban99, Aug 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM.


  1. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

    1,184
    1,860
    Apr 24, 2010
    Gene Tunney retired in 1928 claiming that the public lacked interest in seeing him fight any of the contenders at that time. He said several years would pass until such a contender emerged. The following year the top 10 contenders included: #1 Jack Sharkey, #2 Max Schmeling and #9 Primo Carnera.

    Was Tunney correct or just blowing smoke? Wouldn't the public pay to see Tunney fight ANYONE?
     
    newurban99, Aug 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
    newurban99, Aug 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
    #1
    Shay Sonya likes this.
  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

    55,676
    10,041
    Jul 28, 2009
    He just wanted to focus on his flourishing olive oil business.
     
    Boxed Ears, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
    Boxed Ears, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
    #2
    BCS8 likes this.
  3. Maginot

    Maginot New Member Full Member

    82
    68
    Jul 6, 2025

    All of them would have been pretty good fights, I would love to see the two cerebral warriors fight, Max and Tunney. It would be interesting.
     
    Maginot, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    Maginot, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    #3
  4. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    16,095
    15,032
    Jun 9, 2007
    Married into a very wealthy family. That had to have heavily influenced his decision
     
    robert ungurean, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
    robert ungurean, Aug 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
    #4
    Greg Price99, MaccaveliMacc, Jason Thomas and 1 other person like this.
  5. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

    1,184
    1,860
    Apr 24, 2010
    Tunney married Polly Lauder in 1928. She was heiress to a portion of the Andrew Carnegie/U.S. Steel fortune. No doubt she wanted him to retire.
     
    newurban99, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
    newurban99, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
    #5
    Greg Price99, MaccaveliMacc and Jason Thomas like this.
  6. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,514
    17,780
    Aug 26, 2017
    Ya guys you dont hear this story often especially when comes to boxing but Packey McFarland had pretty much the same story as the reason he retired at age 25. He was already well off as he managed his money well , but truth be told his fiancé was the boss and her Dad was the richest man in Joliet. After his sudden death, Packey was running the family's businesses, Banks, real estate, breweries, insurance companies... you name it. All this before he even hits his Prime in the sport ... anyway cheers guys
     
    surfinghb, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
    surfinghb, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
    #6
    Greg Price99, robert ungurean, jdempsey85 and 1 other person like this.
  7. Jason Thomas

    Jason Thomas Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,350
    5,122
    Feb 18, 2019
    Come on.

    Anyone going to turn down an opportunity to marry into the Carnegie steel fortune in order to get hit in the nose by guys like Schmeling?

    This is a no brainer question.
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2025 at 11:05 PM
    Jason Thomas, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
    Jason Thomas, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
    #7
    MaccaveliMacc, Bokaj and BCS8 like this.
  8. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

    59,850
    79,834
    Aug 21, 2012
    The truth is he wanted to give the other guys a chance.
     
    BCS8, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
    BCS8, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
    #8