Tunney vs. Corbett

[Dr Z]

I never seen this match up of deluxe speedy boxers dicussed. He is what one writer had to say.

Jim Corbett to-day is one of the most
popular figures in sport. Tall, erect,
athletic looking, though past 60, you
could never guess within 10 years of
his actual age. How would Corbett
and Tunney, each at his best, compare
in the ring? According to a leading
American critic, Corbett undoubtedly
was the better boxer in his prime. He
had greater natural speed of hand and
loot, quicker reflexes, a more baffling
way of stepping in and out. Tunney
is the slightly better puncher, because
he hits from a batter balance, and
Tunney is the harder to hurt, more
rugged, more durable, and somewhat
more grimly determined to stick and
win. Corbett could have been a far
better puncher than he was if he had
not sacrificed punching balance for
speed, for the art of getting in and
out as he jazzed and rapped. Tunney
is not a smashing slugger, but there is
much more behind those short jolts of
his, backed up by a heavy shoulder.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/285482338


As I fence sit on this matchup, I will call a SD or draw!

[solidman]

I never seen this match up of deluxe speedy boxers dicussed. He is what one writer had to say.



https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/285482338


As I fence sit on this matchup, I will call a SD or draw!

impossible to call as we have no footage of Corbett.

[Dr Z]

impossible to call as we have no footage of Corbett.

Not so. There is footage of 23 minutes or so with Fitzsimmons! I broke it down in detail if you would like to read it.. There is sparring footage with Kid McCoy and Corbett is mister kid quick in it.

Also sparring as Tunney and as an old man, Jim Corbett looks impressive.

Here is his confirmed record of 35 fights.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Corbett