1919 Dempsey vs 1926 Tunney

[CarlosG815]

How does this fight play out? Dempsey looked to be out of shape, past his best, and we know he was at the end of his career, when he fought Gene Tunney.

How does this fight play out in 1919 when Jack was hungry and prime?

Also, a side question, is there any film available on Tunney Vs Greb? Or is that non-existent?

[Kid McCoy]

None of Greb's fights are known to exist.

An older inactive Dempsey almost got Tunney out of there. I think a younger, fresher Dempsey goes one further and finishes him off.

[CarlosG815]

None of Greb's fights are known to exist.

An older inactive Dempsey almost got Tunney out of there. I think a younger, fresher Dempsey goes one further and finishes him off.

That is devastating because all you can do is read about how savage and brutal he was, always on the thin line of legality in how he would punish his opponents but there is no way to visualize it.

I agree about Dempsey.

[Scott9945]

Tunney won 19 of the 20 rounds when they fought. Since he had the right answers then, I'd still pick him.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

None of Greb's fights are known to exist.

An older inactive Dempsey almost got Tunney out of there. I think a younger, fresher Dempsey goes one further and finishes him off.

He almost got Tunney out of there...but was thoroughly demoralised for almost that entire fight. It was even worse in their first clash. As an interesting aside, the two fights were almost repeated to perfection in a pair of battles some fifty years later, between Larry Holmes & Earnie Shavers. Striking similarities.

First-time out, Dempsey was looking sickly, had not fought in three years, & was getting up there. You would still think he'd have done better than being completely shut-out, but you could more or less say, "Well, he's had his day, & he was out-of-shape, ill-prepped, etc."

What of the second fight, though? Dempsey had improved his conditioning & knew the Tunney gameplan & style. He had knocked off a talented, hungry young fighter who, in fighting Dempsey, was out to make a name for himself. That showed Dempsey still had something. The reflexes & the freshness were not going to return, except in brief bursts (like the famous 7th round), but even so, you had to say, "Okay...there's something to this," when Tunney totally out-classed him a second time.

To me, the rematch proves Tunney was always in Dempsey's class, & would always be a very, very tough ask for him, at any point in his career. Who do I favour? Dempsey was quicker & more elusive in years past, & his punching, a little more explosive & consistent. I would honestly look at this as a 55-45 type of fight, maybe even narrower, in Dempsey's favour. I think he catches Tunney & finishes what you see below in about six or seven rounds, but it wouldn't be worth putting one cent on. Tunney would have every chance.

[wholesale ugg]

An older inactive Dempsey almost got Tunney out of there. I think a younger, fresher Dempsey goes one further and finishes him off.

[Joeyzagz]

Tunney wins 9 times out of 10 against Dempsey.

He's too smart and skilled to be defeated by that gimmick swarm style. The style that Dempsey, Frazier, and Tyson use always gets exposed.

[sonnyboyx2]

Dempsey would have been far quicker on his feet so able to apply more pressure ... Dempsey pts

[flat1985]

Dempsey maybe late stoppage

[Great John L]

Dempsey by knockout.