Boxing vs. Classics. Dempsey vs. Tunney 1 & 2.

When heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey finally signed to meet Gene Tunney on September 23, 1926 at Sesquicentennial Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania it was his first title defense in three years. No fighter today could have gone that long without being stripped of his belt, but in the 1920’s Dempsey was such a popular champion, they allowed it. Tunney stunned the 120,557 fans by easily outboxing and outpunching Dempsey as rain fell on the crowd. When the 10 round bout was over, Gene was the new undisputed champion of he world.

A year later the two met again at Soldiers Field in Chicago, Illinois on September 22, 1927. Tunney was repeating his winning performance from their first meeting through the first six rounds, but got trapped along the ropes in the seventh round and was staggered by a combination of blows by Dempsey that dropped him to the canvas. That began was is still considered “The Long Count” by referee Dave Barry, who took took extra time ordering Dempsey to a neutral corner. Whether or not Tunney could have gotten up in time without the extra five seconds is still a question mark to this day, but the fact is he did get up and box around Dempsey to survive the remainder of the round. Gene returned to outpointing Dempsey for the final three rounds of the bout and retained his title in what would be the last fight of Dempsey’s career. To me, the controversy is a non-issue since Tunney looked up at the referee the entire time he was on the canvas, ready to continue. As soon as the count reached nine, he jumped to his feet and moved away from a charging Dempsey, in full control of his faculties.

Tunney would only fight one more time himself, but both men will forever be linked in their two bouts together, which make them ‘Boxing Classics’ for their historical significance.