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Was it for Following an icon or being a book reader?
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He was seen as being an intellectual and a snob; whether he be hobnobbing with George Bernard Shaw, quoting Shakespeare or marrying a wealth heiress.
I forget who, but one sports writer of the day stated that 'we prefer our fighters with more blood and guts and less Shakespeare'.
Gene was forever alienating the public by replying to interview questions like 'how do you see the fight going Mr Tunney?' by saying 'Fight? What fight? I'm looking forward to a contest of the noble art of boxing'.
He was seen as being too calculating in the ring too......and the public never really forgave him for beating Dempsey (twice).
He is very much appreciated these days though. No two ways about it, he was one of the finest orthodox technicians boxing has ever seen. He had no perceivable weaknesses......superb fighting heart, solid chin, speed, fast combinations, excellent footwork, a brilliant boxing brain. The man was brilliant! -
What about punching power?Comment
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Yes, his shots certainly carried some weight.....even at heavyweight. Dempsey always praised Gene's power; and lets not forget, he had Dempsey down with a powerful right in their return match.Originally posted by Anthony342 View PostComment
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when tunney was relatively young that is still boxing i got the impression he could be abit of a jerk.Comment
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May have been considered a bit conceited.. Socialized away from boxing with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, and i believe married a wealthy heiress, which i'd imagine was sourly looked upon, during what were tough times for most people.Originally posted by louis54 View PostComment
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Originally posted by mickey malone View Post
Then he accidentally tripped up on his land and by sheer luck found that he'd struck oil!
A proper success story on every level......some guys get all the luck.Comment
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Good post.Originally posted by Sugarj View Post
Gene Tunney was definitely something else. He had an aura of superiority about him, not just in the ring but outside of it too. He was odd, and didn't give direct answers to questions.
Add to that he was a boxer. The first HW of his kind and a very modern one at that. He was the first HW to really use the ring and outbox people as opposed to just stand and throw for 20 rounds until someone stays down.
So his odd style of boxing, added to his outclassing of fan favourite and now celebrity Jack Dempsey, I guess it took people a while to appreciate him.
Tunney though is one of the few fighters who history has improved. Usually, it goes the other way but his heavyweight accomplishments are now appreciated a lot more, and though not equal to his light heavyweight feats, he's definitely considered an all time great in my book. He changed the style of heavyweight boxing.Comment
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The "long count" was and is a big deal and people who can't evaluate skills lean on it to much. Yes Dempsey got ripped off but that doesn't add or subtract to Tunneys abilities! People forget that Tunney was a tuff bastard too and could mix it up with anyone! His best was boxing but he had no question about his own strengths!
Maybe fan nuts here don't realize he was a terrific boxer but for the most part this forum is filled with "brown nosers" who only have a favorite or two who are ATGs hahahaha!!!! Everyone I know appreciates Tunney and appaud his skills!
RayComment
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As time goes on Gene is more and more appreciated people are not influenced by the biased media of his times.Comment
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