Collection of writings by Gene Tunney

[QueensburyRules]

I read the first article. I will take them in order. I must admit, I felt Tunney got it right about Louis's competition and wrong about his incredible powers of recovery. I see nothing incredible about Louis's ability to recover. I would say it was average at best, just as Schmeling's punching power was no better than average.

- -So, he's Schmoe Louis in Leffy World is it?

No Valhalla fer you!!!

[The Old LefHook]

There seems a lot Tunney could have more cogently singled out about Louis other than his powers of recovery, which no other single writer or fighter I know of ever did. Very clearly, I think, this is indeed because Louis was, at least by the evidence at hand, nothing special in the recovery department. He may have been special there, but I do not think he ever particularly proved that.

Since I cannot claim to know as much as Tunney, what did he see (or hmmm, feel, for that matter) which made him say this? One knows already he will pick Dempsey. Gene, usually goes into high heraldry mode on the subject of Jack and gushes like a school boy. The only advantage he see's fit to possibly assign Joe is his "animalism," or ability to recover. Even the jab of Dempsey is clearly superior to Gene, from what I gather, in lines and between them.

It will now be interesting to read some more Tunney and test my impressions against additional material.

[Rusty Tromboni]

There seems a lot Tunney could have more cogently singled out about Louis other than his powers of recovery, which no other single writer or fighter I know of ever did. Very clearly, I think, this is indeed because Louis was, at least by the evidence at hand, nothing special in the recovery department. He may have been special there, but I do not think he ever particularly proved that.

Since I cannot claim to know as much as Tunney, what did he see (or hmmm, feel, for that matter) which made him say this? One knows already he will pick Dempsey. Gene, usually goes into high heraldry mode on the subject of Jack and gushes like a school boy. The only advantage he see's fit to possibly assign Joe is his "animalism," or ability to recover. Even the jab of Dempsey is clearly superior to Gene, from what I gather, in lines and between them.

It will now be interesting to read some more Tunney and test my impressions against additional material.

I don't have a strong opinion either way, but when fighters caught Louis, they rarely capitalized on whatever success it generated. Usually, he would just correct.

[billeau2]

I read the first article. I will take them in order. I must admit, I felt Tunney got it right about Louis's competition and wrong about his incredible powers of recovery. I see nothing incredible about Louis's ability to recover. I would say it was average at best, just as Schmeling's punching power was no better than average.

Wait until you read the article about fighting the Gorilla I love Tunney and do think he was logical and sensible but we all have our blind spots...

[billeau2]

I don't have a strong opinion either way, but when fighters caught Louis, they rarely capitalized on whatever success it generated. Usually, he would just correct.

Aside from Max Baer as far as I can see Louis never fought any punchers that would test these qualities so I would have to agree. Certainly getting decked by Galento and Braddock means something, but it is not the same as getting up after Dempsey caught you, or even someone like Jeffries in his prime.

[QueensburyRules]

- -Jack in his 40s when he jumped into a Galento spar and battered him into cigar jelly after insults.

Net result is you don't spit into the wind, mess with ol' King Kong or Big John or arouse Jack Dempsey into action.

74 when he flattened 2 mugger wannabees outside his restaurant and held them there until the police arrived!