If Gene Tunney had fought on until 1934 before retiring?

Question

Gene Tunney was one of the first true modern day boxers skill wise. Unfortunately, he was only champ for 2 years and 2 title defenses. Had he kept and defended his title against the following fighters, how do you think he would have done and been viewed today as far as the all time greats?

Max Schmeling

Jack Sharkey

Primo Carnera

James J. Braddock

Ernie Schaaf

Al Gainer

Leo Lomski

Max Baer

Young Stribling

Johnny Risko

Paulino Uzkudun

Tuffy Griffins

Answer 1

thumbs up to kamen rider, tunney beats them all except a question mark on whether he could beat baer in his mid 30's.

Answer 2

Opinion questions have no real answers . Tunney , by the way was the only boxing champ with a college degree .

Answer 3

Depends mate. Braddock beat baer cause of his style but yet tunney could struggle. Depends 9/10 styles make a boxing match not just speed or power e.t.c. I'd say tunney could step up to each and every one of them fighters...but beating thems a different story. =]

Answer 4

He can beat them all and should be in the top ten. The only blemish on his record is the long count against Jack Dempsey. The question is can he beat Dempsey when Jack is in his prime. I believe he beat a rusty Dempsey.

Answer 5

Tunney would have beaten all on the list except maybe, Schmeling and would have a tough time with Baer, Gene would have to stick and move with Baer, because of Baer;s punching power

Answer 6

He could hold his own against most of the fighters you have listed he could have problems with Max Baer though.

Answer 7

Tunney is a cut above everyone you mentioned, but in boxing anything could happen.  I think Schmeling, Braddock and Stribling could have given Tunney trouble, and Baer had a punchers chance against anyone, Max was his era's equivalent of a heavy punching heavyweight along the lines of Shavers, Tua or Tyson.

Tunney might have had 2 losses if he had fought the four above, but still would have been a clear top ten all time great heavyweight.

Answer 8

Good Question.....I think Gene would have beaten them all with the exception of Schmeling ( who is vastly underrated due to his loss to Louis ) & I think that Baer would probably have lost to Gene---The Bottom Line is I only think Schmeling would have beaten Tunney in his prime & I also think that Baer-Tunney could go either way with a slight nod to Gene.

Answer 9

Primo Carnera was a big guy with a glass jaw and was controlled by the mafia.