Dream match. Jack Johnson vs Gene Tunney. Who wins?

Question

15 rounds at heavyweight

Johnson

Hgt: 6'1/4

Wgt: 200 lbs

Record: 77-13-14 (48)

ko'd: 7 times

Tunney

Hgt: 6' 1/2

Wgt: 190

Record: 61-1-1 (45)

Ko'd: 0

Answer 1

Shades of Holmes-Spinks II.  I view these two as the pioneers of defensive boxing.  I know Jim Corbett before them used a similar style against Sullivan but that wasn really Jim's style.  He used it against John L because he knew it would work against the usually drunk and very out of shape Sullivan.

Johnson is often compared with Muhammad ALi.  I dont think they were that close.   Jack had some footwork but it looked better against the men he fought because ALL of them were offensive minded fighters.   Even Ketchel, who SHOULD have been thinking more of Defense,  was offensive against Johnson.  

Believe it or not,  Tunney had the slightly better footwork.  At least he USED it more than Jack did.  He could also match Johnson for handspeed.   Also,  Jack wasnt the Giant many make him out to be.   Only about 10 pounds seperates the two,  nothing when you're talking heavyweights.  They are bout the same height.  

The biggest difference is what Jack would have to use to win.  He's a harder puncher than Tunney.  Tunney is a solid puncher but Jack has more power.  Jack's parrying style would not be very effective against Tunney because he's not the ''plodding' type that Jack looked so great against.  

Tunney is a careful type fighter.   He wouldnt mix it up with Johnson.  There would be no replay (of foreplay if you will) of Louis-Conn.  Tunney would not take the chances many others have taken.  

Gene would outbox Jack, winning just over half of the first 12 rounds,  about 7 to 5.  Johnson would be forced to assume the unfamiliar role of aggressor.  Trailing on points,  Johnson finally catches up with Tunney, in round 13, and lands a flurry with Gene's back to the ropes.   Tunney goes down.  He's up at the count of 8 and moving out of harms way, Johnson in persuit.  

At the end of the fight Gene Tunney has scored enough on one card to secure the verdict.  However, the other two judges see it for Johnson, the knockdown in the 13th being the deciding factor.  

Johnson by split decision in 15

Answer 2

I cant see Jack pulling this off. With his stand -up and more stationary style.(Untouchable said it well) He just did'nt have the footwork to deal with Tunney.I dont see Jacks stiffer free-lance type style outperforming Gene's more mobile true percision boxing style.

Gene could go on the inside (If need be.-Remember he had a outstanding right uppercut and great left body hook. on the inside.) And he could dance and move very well from the outside coming from different angles.

Gene was tougher and had the better chin (Greb MAULED him, yet Gene kept coming. Jack was knocked down/out by far smaller guy's.)

At 15 rds. Tunney holds the way higher edge. Gene's stamina was amazing, he could and did dance ALL 15 rounds in bouts.

Gene was technically superior to Johnson. (And also Ali as well. NOTE -I did'nt say he could beat Ali, but was technically better ) Gene knew and threw every punch in textbook form. And on top of this was very fast with his punches AND footwork. Was also methodical, very defensive wise, and great at counter-fighting. Gene was a great thinking fighter (See Heeney/Carpentier bouts.)

In the Tunney vs. Dempsey bout (Even though Dempsey wasnt prime.) it still shows Tunney's incredible reflexes.

Tunney had the far more and better skills over Johnson. (Jack still had a punchers chance, but I cant see him out-slicking Tunney.) Gene with a 15 rnd. decision.

Answer 3

Tunney would win and possibly quite easy. What is most surprising to say, Tunney may have the better punch of the two.  Tunney's speed, puching power, footwork, knowledge of the game, chin and dedication would be too much for Johnson to handle.

I would say a 15 round decision with Tunney winning 9 or 10 rounds.

Answer 4

tunney

Answer 5

THE FOOTAGE i HAVE OF jJOHNSON iM NOT REALLY IMPRESSED WITH.REMINDS ME OF A BIG SCHOOL BULLY, WITH BURNS,kETCHEL AND the farce against Jeffries.On the other hand,Tunney is much more skilful and well in advance of his era,ill go for Tunney by a fairly comfy dec over 15.

Answer 6

Gene Tunney! It wouldn't even have been close. Tunney always kept himself in great shape and had more heart than Johnson ever had brains or ability to fight with.

Answer 7

You know this would be a tactical matchup of two defensive fighters. Johnson's opposition was just smudge better then Tunney's, but Tunney studied opponents to a T. Johnson at times came in cocky to a fight, and this fight would cost him. I would give Tunney the edge in power, chin, and stamina. Tunney UD in 15 rounds. I would watch it just to see style matchups and how it play out. Good choice...

Answer 8

Anyone who thinks Johnson would win needs to watch those old fights and see those "great" fighters Johnson defeated. Out of shape and past their prime as well as being undersized seems to be the key to Johnsons victories over these lesser foes. The first time he meets a fighter bigger then him he loses to some oversized cowboy who didn`t start boxing till the age of 30. When history and legend differ print the legend.

Answer 9

Both were great boxers but Jack Johnson has more power so I give Jack a slight edge. Yes, Gene did beat Jack Dempsey who also has power but Jack was coming off a long lay off and the second fight , Gene was lucky because of the long count incident. Jack Johnson will win by unanimous decision with one knock down of Gene Tunney during the fight.

Answer 10

I'd say Jack Johnson by a late knockout, rounds 13 to 15, after he falls behind on points and has to go looking for Tunney.

Answer 11

Two great underrated warriors and all time greats as well.

Tunney known more for the ''long count'' fight with Dempsey than for being a great fighter who beat Jack fair and square the first time and avenged his only defeat, a loss to the great Harry Greb. Tunney could take huge amounts of punishment, had stamina, a great chin and underrated power.

Johnson was a legend before his time with fast hands, a punishing style, stamina and the attitude to back it up! His exploits out of the ring overshadow his legendary fighting in it.

I feel Tunney with his smooth boxing first but brawl if needed style would frustrate any heavyweight in any era. Against Johnson there would be a ton of jabs, clutching, and a lot of inside body punches from both. It would be a classic tactical battle, not a boring fight like the latest heavyweight debacle but a classic battle. There would be times of toe to toe action that would have the hearts of fans jumping. Tunney could score a late knockdown and win this great fight by decision. Great matchup!

Answer 12

johnson by decision

Answer 13

The blogbaba has to side with Jack Johnson in this one, I believe the power edge would have when to Jack.  Tunney was as good a boxer as any in heavyweight history, but I have never held Gene in as high esteem as a lot of others do, I always put Gene in the lower 6-10 range when I remembered to put him on the list, the question of losing to a pumped up middle weight does as much to detract from Tunney as it does to promote Greb's greatness.  When Johnson fought a great middle weight, he got up from a knock down, and they ended up removing 6 of Ketchel's teeth from Jack's glove in response to the knock down.  I always put Jack Johnson 3rd on my all time list, right behind Ali and Louis, and somehow I can't see Tunney in such company.  Tunney caught Demspsey at the right time in Jack's career, much like Calzaghe is getting an old Hopkins.  In his prime, Jack Johnson would have brought enough into the ring to get to Tunney.

Jack Johnson by decision.