...interesting equation, for mine. Tunney was such a gifted boxer all-round. A lot of fellas have the physical tools, but Tunney's mind was as great a tool as any. He was a studious observer of his bigger opponents --- among the first to review film of rivals. I ca scarcely think of a better 175lber in history at making adjustments mid-fight than Tunney. Stylistically, he did face Greb & Dempsey, of some similarity to Frazier. His record is a very good one there, even allowing for the facts that Greb was a good deal smaller, & Dempsey, over-the-hill. At least three of Tunney's six wins against these men were done going away, impressively. Physically, Tunney was in evergreen condition, with a harder-than-credited right hand, textbook, stiffened jab (which can be observed to never wane in its trajectory, no matter the round), with quick hands, excellent reflexes, & very, very nifty footwork. You can almost see the thought etched on his face in the old film. He was always looking for his man's next mistake. He was tough, too --- for a pensive counter-puncher, Tunney wasn't afraid to take his licks, & his chin was very sturdy. There were a few of those in Frazier's game, but it hardly seemed to matter --- a punching machine of the most proficient order, with a debilitating bodyattack (one of his foremost weapons in breaking down hard, hard men), scintillating left hook upstairs built for the highlight reel, & a near-unstoppable blend of sheer, indomitable teak-toughness & a motor which just wouldn't quit. Any takers over the short haul?
What exactly does Tunney keep him off with? And where does he find the strength to stand up to the biggest, strongest fighter he would have ever faced by a long ways? Tunney was a terrific fighter but he was 185 pounds and a stylist on top of it at that weight, he didnt pack the heaviest punch (certainly the 175 Foster hit light years harder) and he was certainly not an inside fighter... Frazier would laugh off his jabs and right hands and hook with abandon and Tunney, tough though he was, would be overwhlemed... Quarry and Ellis were both bigger, stronger guys than Tunney and Ellis got KILLED... Quarry had a great chin and a cracking hook of his own so he was able to hang in there despite being badly outgunned... Tunney is a greater fighter than them but a lot smaller... Im sorry but that matters here... Frazier would walk right through Gene Tunney
