Why is Tunney a great heavyweight?

[JAB5239]

Why is Gene Tunney looked at as a great or borderline great heavyweight? He beat Dempsey twice. Dempsey was coming off a three year layoff and wouldn't even fight his number one contender. So what is it about Tunney? I've seen him ranked as a top 20 heavyweight and in some instances a top 10.

As a lightheavyweight he is arguably the best.....at the very least top 5. At heavyweight though.......what did he do?

[ShoulderRoll]

Tunney doesn't have a deep resume at heavyweight. No question about it.

But he was able to beat Greb at light heavyweight 3 out of 4 times and to beat Dempsey twice. That speaks to his quality.

With ability like that you have to figure that he matches up very well head-to-head against most of the other heavyweight champions in history.

[Sugarj]

The other thing was that Gene Tunney looked pretty impressive (allowing for the limitations of flickervision).

He had a superb jab, was an excellent combination puncher and had wonderful footwork and reflexes. A proper box of tricks and a nasty match up to my eyes for many heavyweight champions (at least until size and weight became a factor).

I think he'd have a chance against anyone up to Liston.

[JAB5239]

Tunney doesn't have a deep resume at heavyweight. No question about it.

But he was able to beat Greb at light heavyweight 3 out of 4 times and to beat Dempsey twice. That speaks to his quality.

With ability like that you have to figure that he matches up very well head-to-head against most of the other heavyweight champions in history.

The decisions against Greb are dubious at best. Most historians that researched the newspaper articles have it at 2-2-1. But that is neither here nor there. Micheal Spinks has a crazy good record at LHW and beat Holmes twice. We never hear about him being an ATG heavyweight though.in fact, he actually has a better heavyweight resume if you look at it objectively. No

[JAB5239]

The other thing was that Gene Tunney looked pretty impressive (allowing for the limitations of flickervision).

He had a superb jab, was an excellent combination puncher and had wonderful footwork and reflexes. A proper box of tricks and a nasty match up to my eyes for many heavyweight champions (at least until size and weight became a factor).

I think he'd have a chance against anyone up to Liston.

Tunney looks great, no denying that. But does that warrant an ATG ranking? I'm just curious what gives him that position in many rankings. He was a GREAT fighter, but I don't see it at heavyweight.

[ShoulderRoll]

The decisions against Greb are dubious at best. Most historians that researched the newspaper articles have it at 2-2-1. But that is neither here nor there. Micheal Spinks has a crazy good record at LHW and beat Holmes twice. We never hear about him being an ATG heavyweight though.in fact, he actually has a better heavyweight resume if you look at it objectively. No

If you are going to rank him based just on heavyweight resume then he is always going to rank low. No argument.

But there are other criteria that one might consider. Such as the eye test. His footwork for example is so smooth...if Billy Conn's movement gave Joe Louis trouble then I could easily see Tunney being a nightmare for Joe to deal with.

[JAB5239]

If you are going to rank him based just on heavyweight resume then he is always going to rank low. No argument.

But there are other criteria that one might consider. Such as the eye test. His footwork for example is so smooth...if Billy Conn's movement gave Joe Louis trouble then I could easily see Tunney being a nightmare for Joe to deal with.

Why are we ranking him against heavyweights to begin with? I'm not arguing his skills, just like I'm not arguing the skills of Spinks or Charles, who often if not always are ranked behind Tunney on ATG heavyweight lists. I just don't see what makes him a better ranking than these guys. I'm not saying he's not a great fighter...of course he is. But to be a top 10 or 20 ATG HEAVYWEIGHT.......I just don't see it.

[QueensburyRules]

The decisions against Greb are dubious at best. Most historians that researched the newspaper articles have it at 2-2-1. But that is neither here nor there. Micheal Spinks has a crazy good record at LHW and beat Holmes twice. We never hear about him being an ATG heavyweight though.in fact, he actually has a better heavyweight resume if you look at it objectively. No

- -I'm shocked!

I didn't think U had it in ya.

Cong****!

[ShoulderRoll]

Why are we ranking him against heavyweights to begin with? I'm not arguing his skills, just like I'm not arguing the skills of Spinks or Charles, who often if not always are ranked behind Tunney on ATG heavyweight lists. I just don't see what makes him a better ranking than these guys. I'm not saying he's not a great fighter...of course he is. But to be a top 10 or 20 ATG HEAVYWEIGHT.......I just don't see it.

Since he won the heavyweight championship that opens the door to rank him against other heavyweight champions. He's in the club.

[Larry the boss]

that is a great question