Tunney vs. Conn

Both guys get the nod from many as the best ever in their division. And I think both guys enjoyed a similar set of strengths and weaknesses - boxing ability, smarts, and heart were their strengths, a lack of punching power and all of its implications their weakness.

Who wins?

 

Tunney was a much harder puncher than Conn

Conn was a much faster mover than Tunney

 

Agreed on both counts. Tunney didn't commit terribly often, but he had a punch.

 

definitely. While certainly not a murderous puncher, comparing his power with a feather fist like Conn is ridiculous

 

Dempsey admitted to being stopped in his tracks by a Tunney bodyblow --- a punch to the chest, I believe, which he called deceptively-powerful. Dempsey, even aged, was a blood-&-guts, fire-&-brimstone warrior, who could take it as well as dish it out. That is some praise for Tunney's pop, there.

 

But who wins?

 

For once we can say "The white guy".

 

I would favour Tunney against any Light-Heavyweight to draw breath, though Conn is one of his most difficult assignments. Potentially tougher than, say, Moore (who I class as a better fighter than Conn). Conn's swift feet & busy attack rate would force Tunney into a difficult jabbing contest, & make him work extra dilligently on his timing, as he tried to catch Conn sweeping in & out.

Tunney was the smarter fighter, & didn't want for speed himself, of hand or foot. He should land the harder blows, too, but landing more of them could prove tough. It's close.

 

Agreed. But I don't think Conn was THAT much faster moving than Tunney.

 

perhaps not, but he was more effective that way... Conn's legs were a big part of his gameplan every fight... Tunney was more of a guy who moved "just enough" to do what he needed in there

 

Good point, CDogg. Tunney was adept at economy of movement. He was more sparing in the use of his legs than Conn, who was positively spritely, at any weight. Tunney had a better punch than Conn, slipped punches with greater expertise, & had a teak-tough chin, making him more suited to standing his ground than Conn. IMO, it's going to take Tunney some time to get to grips with Conn's rapier jab & energetic approach. Six, seven rounds before he establishes some genuine rhythm with timing Conn coming in. It's his best bet.

 

Tunney's movement was like that of a Whitaker or a Locche, all about moving JUST ENOUGH to make the other guy miss wildly

Conn's movement was more like a young Ali