Gene Tunney
| Gene Tunney | |
| 200px | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | James Joseph Tunney |
| Nickname | The Fighting Marine |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Nationality |  American
|
| Birth date | May 25, 1897 |
| Birth place | New York City |
| Death date | November 7, 1978 (aged 81) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 88 |
| Wins | 82 |
| Wins by KO | 48 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 3 |
| No contests | 2 |
James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-28 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight. Tunney retired as a heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928. He is known for his unique style, which was not sheer brutality like that employed by fellow boxers, but rather a calculated wearing down of the opponent to bring about a sure defeat. Tunney was not like other boxers in that he was very smart, he was even known to quote Shakespeare regularly and forbade cursing in his presence. He was not rough and brutish like the boxers where thought to be at the time. Instead he was handsome and gentlemanly. In his years in the ring he suffered only one loss decided by unanimous decision (he would go on to beat the man who defeated him in four subsequent rematches).[1]
Regarded by many as a brutal sport, boxing has often provided the way out of poverty for many of its most famous exponents. Known for his intellect, Tunney became a successful businessman after his retirement from boxing, suggesting that had other career paths been open to him he may have made a more significant contribution to society than one that in the main involved trying to physically wear down, and even knock down, his opponents. Like others from a similar background, however, one embarked on boxing as a career, he discipled and trained himself so that he could excel at what he did, setting an example for others to emulate. In a more ideal world, everyone would have an opportunity to complete their education and to find meaningful and worthwhile employment. Young men would not need to box their way out of poverty and up the ladder to economic security.
Early life
Tunney was the second of seven children born to his Irish immigrants parents in Greenwich Village. His family was working class and Tunney held a number of odd jobs in his youth to help with financial burdens. When he was 10, his father presented him with his first pair of boxing gloves and he took part in the sport when he had free time. He was first paid to box at 18. He won $18 for the defeat of his more seasoned opponent. In World War I Tunney served in the U.S. Marines, where he was awarded for the valor he displayed in battle. He was determined to defeat heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, and his future would hold this for him, not once but twice.[1]Evans,
Career
Tunney had only one loss in his entire professional career of over 80 matches—a 15 round unanimous decision to Harry Greb for the American Light Heavyweight title, a defeat that he later avenged in four more fights against Greb. He was regarded as an extremely skillful boxer who excelled in defense. He was known to study his opponents and defeat them by wearing them down, rather than inflicting simple, hard, brutal blows, as was the norm. Unlike others, Tunney was also highly intelligent and even went on to speak on Shakespeare at Yale University. He knew both Ernest Hemingway and George Bernard Shaw who took an interest in his career. Such men, interested in sport, were attracted by his "relative intellectualism, reticence in public, and scientific boxing style" which at the same time distanced him from fight fans and the press.[2] When interviewed by the press, he "exuded confidence." Seen reading a book during a training session, this was too much for the press, which ridiculed him.[2] Later, other famous boxers, not least of all Muhammad Ali became famous for their fighting -talk before entering the ring. He studied Dempsey's boxing style in detail, watching numerous films of his fights. He also interviewed former opponents of Depsey to learn as much as he could from their experience.
In addition to beating Dempsey two times, once in 1926 and once in 1927, the most famous fighter of his era, Tunney defeated Tommy Loughran, Tommy Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, and many other fine boxers. He was, however, banned from fighting in the State of New York because he refused to defend his title against an African-American challenger, Harry Wills. Due to his agent's "promotional genius", his 1926 fight against Dempsey in Philadelphia attracted a crowd of 120, 757 people and a box office taking of two million dollars. The re-match, in Chicago in 1927, took $2.6 million and set a record. Tunney was knocked down during round seven. The "long count" occurred because under Illinois rules, Dempsey had to stand in a neutral corner during the count and instead went and stood in Tunney's coner. By the time the referee had "got Dempsey to the neutral corner, Tunney had been down for at least four seconds."[2] However, he got to his feet before the count of ten and went on to win the fight. Both matches were won by decision of the judges.
Tunney also had a brief acting career, starring in the movie The Fighting Marine in 1926. Unfortunately, no prints of this film are known to exist. Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennett, this black and white silent movie was distributed by Pathé Exchange.[3] Although this role was not followed by others, Tunney was an early example of someone whose celebrity status in sport or in a field outside of the theater led to exposure on the big screen. It has subsequently become more common for sporting heroes and stars to also star in front of the camera.
In 1928, after defeating Australian Tom Henney wih an eleventh round knock out, he retired from his boxing career.
He was elected as Ring Magazine's first-ever Fighter of the Year in 1928 and later elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1980, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Personal life
Tunney was of Irish descent.
After retiring from boxing, Tunney married heiress to a steel manufacturing fortune, Polly Lauder. He also served briefly in the United States Navy during World War II. Following the war, he spent the rest of his life as a wealthy businessman. He was fortunate to retire from boxing with good health and the ability to pursue a career outside the ring.
After his death in 1978, at 81 years old, Tunney was interred in the Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford, Connecticut.
Gene Tunney was the father of John V. Tunney, who was a Senator and Representative from California from 1965 until 1977.
Legacy
Fighting Style
Tunney was a thinking fighter who prefered to make a boxing match into a game of chess; a style which was not popular during the times when such sluggers like Jack Dempsey, Harry Greb and Mickey Walker were commanding boxing's center stage. Tunney's style was influenced by other noted boxing thinkers such as James J Corbett and Benny Leonard.
Always moving and boxing behind a good solid left jab, Tunney would start reading and dissecting his opponent from the first bell, preferring to stay on the outside, nullifying any attack his opponent had. Tunney would use quick counters to keep hos opponents off balance. Not known as a big puncher, Tunney could hit with venom when needed. Especially, once he had figured his opponent was exhausted or hurt. Combined with his meticulous preparation and book-reading reputation, Tunney's style was often described as "scientific."
Cultural references
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had a comedy routine in which Lewis (in boxing shorts and gear) states he's fight'n Gene Tierney (the actress). Martin corrects Lewis and suggests that he must mean "Gene Tunney." Lewis then quips, "You fight who you wanna fight, I'm fight'n who I wanna fight, I'm fight'n Gene Tierney."
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Evans, page 82.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Roberts, James B and Skutt, Alexander G. 1999. Gene Tunney. International Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
- ↑ The Fighting Maribe (1926). The Internet Movie Database. Bennett, Spender Gordon (Director); Smith, Frank Leon (writer); Pathé production company.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Cavanaugh, Jack, and Gene Tunney. 2006. Tunney Boxing's Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey. New York: Random House, 2006 ISBN 9781400060092
- Evans, Gavin. 2005. Kings of the Ring: The History of Heavyweight Boxing. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 0297844202
- Evensen, Bruce J. 1996. When Dempsey fought Tunney: heroes, hokum, and storytelling in the Jazz Age. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press.
- Green, Benny. 1978. Shaw's champions: G. B. S. & prizefighting from Cashel Byron to Gene Tunney. London: Elm Tree Books.
- Jarrett, John. 2003. Gene Tunney: the golden guy who licked Jack Dempsey twice. London: Robson.
- Silverman, Jeff. 2004. The Greatest Boxing Stories Ever Told: Thirty-Six Incredible Tales from the Ring. Old Saybrook, CT: Globe Peqout. ISBN 1592284795
External links
- Review of 2006 Gene Tunney biography Retrieved August 19, 2008.
- Professional boxing record for Gene Tunney from Boxrec Retrieved August 20, 2008.
- Gene Tunney biography at the Find a Grave site Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- Gene Tunney vs. Jack Dempsey (second match) Retrieved August 19, 2008.
- Gene Tunney Quotes Retrieved August 20, 2008.
- Gene Tunney biography Retrieved August 20, 2008.
| Preceded by: Jack Dempsey |
Heavyweight boxing champion 1926–1928 |
Succeeded by: Max Schmeling |
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
