Jul 1928
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York
World Heavyweight TitleFormer Champion Jack Dempsey was in Heeney's corner. Tunney announced his retirement from boxing a few days later.
Sep 1927
Soldiers Field, Chicago, Illinois
World Heavyweight title
Round 7 Dempsey pummels Tunney to the canvas. Dempsey, who used to stand over opponents after knockdowns and rush right back at them after they got up, looked down on Tunney. Referee Dave Barry trying to enforce the new rule where the knockdown count won't begin until the standing boxer is in a neutral corner ordered Dempsey into a neutral corner to no avail; Dempsey just stood there, observing his opponent. This gave Tunney 5 extra precious seconds to recuperate. By the time Dempsey finally walked to a neutral corner, Tunney had been down for around 5 seconds. Again Ref Barry could not start to count on Tunney until Dempsey reached the neutral corner, but he was still able to count to nine before Tunney got up. Some believe that if Dempsey had responded to the referee's orders in time, he would have likely regained the world Heavyweight crown with a seventh round knockout of Tunney. The validity of this argument has been debated even to this day. In the fight film, a clock was superimposed that recorded Tunney's time on the floor as 14 seconds, from the moment he fell until he got up. Because of this delay, it became known as The Long Count Fight.
Sep 1926
Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
World Heavyweight Title
Attendance: 120, 557
Dec 1925
Waterfront Park, Saint Petersburg, Florida
A right to the jaw put O'Dowd down for the full count.
Nov 1925
Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
"Tunney, shortly after the beginning of the fight, injured his right hand with a blow to Risko's iron jaw. Later in the battle he directed his left against the same obstacle, and when the bout ended both of his hands were swollen. Risko won the first and third round of the fight. Four were even and in the remaining six, Tunney's margin was so great that there could be no question of the decision." (Coshocton Tribune)
Sep 1925
Indoor Hockey Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota
"The end came after a little more than two minutes of fighting (in the third round) when Tunney backed Madden into a corner, gained his opening with a left jab and then crossed a crushing right to Madden's jaw, " (AP) putting Madden down for nine. A left hook to the jaw then sent Madden down for the count.
Jul 1925
Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas
Jun 1925
Polo Grounds, New York, New York
Mar 1925
Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
"Tunney gave Greb as thorough a beating as he has ever received. So completely was Greb outclassed and outfought in six of the ten rounds that he resorted to a defensive fight after the third and thereafter was guilty of persistent holding and stalling varied only by rare flashes of offensive fighting, which Tunney quickly terminated by a devastating attack. Tunney concentrated his fire almost entirely on Greb's heart and body, landing with deadly accuracy and telling effect. After a flashy start, Greb went on the defensive and let entire rounds go by without making more than a weak show of attack, without landing a decisive punch, even on those rare occasions when he undertook to do the leading." (Associated Press) Referee Barton later stated that he asked Greb why his efforts were so weak, to which Harry replied that Tunney had re-aggravated a rib injury in round three.
Dec 1924
Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Newspaper decision for Tunney from New Orleans Times-Picayune, Pittsburgh Post, AP (11-2-2 by rounds). Tunney won decisively. Smith was knocked down twice in the 12th round (erroneously stated before to be the first knockdown of his career. In fact he was first floored by George Chip on 2/20/1912).
Nov 1924
Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee
Buddy McHale was "sight unseen" replacement accepted by Tunney's manager when the original opponent couldn't fight. McHale was completely overmatched and down four times before his corner threw in the towel to end the fight.
Oct 1924
Auditorium, Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Haack did not make a count, and carried Foley to his corner where it took several minutes to revive him. "A left hook that sped straight and true to Foley's jaw was the punch that flattened the red-haired Arkansan-although it was really Tunney's right, an overhead crack to the jaw about a minute before, that was the punch that started Foley on his downfall." Foley down twice. SourceMemphis Commercial-Appeal
Sep 1924
Cambria Fairgrounds, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
This fight has often been omitted from Tunney's record, but was reported by the Pittsburgh Post. It was a very slow and dull affair. The Pennsylvania Boxing Commission suspended Tunney for 3 months and fined him $200 for "pulling punches" and fighting a "listless contest."
Sep 1924
Olympic Arena, Brooklyn, Ohio
Referee stated he would have ruled a draw;
Two out of three Cleveland papers scored it for Greb (the other called it a draw).Stuart M. Bell from Cleveland Plain Dealer scored for Greb 6-3-1, the Massilon(Ohio)Evening Independent scored it for Greb;
Lima News (AP) called it a win for Greb, but reported that many ringsiders thought Tunney had the edge; Ray Coll in Pittsburgh Gazette-Times scored it a draw;
Zanesville Signal (INS wire) gave edge to Greb 5-4-1; Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune/Milwaukee Journal (United News wire) said newspapermen gave Greb "all but the tenth round"; Jim Jab from Pittsburg Press scored for Greb 7-3.
Aug 1924
Fairmont Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Lohman went down five times before the referee stopped the bout.
Jul 1924
Polo Grounds, New York, New York
Attendance: 30, 000. Tunney had the better of the fight until the tenth when he gave Carpentier a frightful beating, knocking him down three times. Georges fought back heroically, but near the end of the 14th round he went down and the count was at six when the bell rang. Carpentier came out for the 15th but the referee soon stopped it because the Frenchman was in no condition to continue. There was some question that Tunney landed a low blow to floor Carpentier in the 14th, but it was reported that privately-taken films showed no indication of a foul.
Jun 1924
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York
Mar 1924
Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Tunney won the newspaper decision." (Nevada State Journal and Chicago Tribune. According to the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, Tunney won eight rounds..There was not a moment, however, when Delaney was convinced that the winning punch was not waiting for him..He forced the fighting most of the way, did most of the leading, for which he received many a solid counter blow, and finished at his full strength, bleeding above and below his left eye and from his lips" Delaney won the first round by a slight margin, and did his best work in the third.."After the third round, one round was very much like another, as Delaney was consistently on the aggressive but Tunney was too strong for him and hit more solidly." There were no knockdowns.
Feb 1924
Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Jan 1924
Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida
Thompson took a count of "nine, " got up, and was dropped for the full count with a right to the body.
Jan 1924
Coliseum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Newspaper decision from the Pittsburgh Post. According to the Grand Rapids Herald, Tunney was extended to the limit in every round, "in the greatest fight between two big men that has ever been staged in a Grand Rapids ring." Tunney handed out a lot of punishment and tried hard to score a knockout, but "the champion did not by any means escape punishment. Foley, lashing out savagely with both hands time and again.." The writer scored it six rounds for Tunney, two for Foley, and two even.
Dec 1923
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
American Light Heavyweight Title
The majority consensus among NY newspapers was that Tunney won about 8 rounds, Greb five, and two were even, although James P. Sinnot of the New York Morning Telegram scored it for Greb 10-4-1 in rounds. Tunney mounted a body attack that allowed him to win. Greb landed many more punches, but Tunney's were harder and cleaner. There were no knockdowns. The Brooklyn Citizen reported that the majority in the crowd felt Greb was entitled to a draw. The Brooklyn Standard Union also reported that many in the crowd felt Harry deserved a draw.
Jul 1923
Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York
May 1923
Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
"Gene Tunney, American light heavy weight champion, had a shade the better of Jim Delaney, of St. Paul, Minn., in a ten-round no-decision contest here, in the opinion of newspaper men at the ringside. Tunney injured his right hand in the second round and was unable to use it effectively for the remaining eight rounds. For the last three rounds he did not even attempt to punch with it. Physicians who examined (Tunney's) hand after the fight said it had been badly fractured." (Indianapolis Star) Newspaper decision from the Chicago Tribune (Bob Soderman).
May 1923
Fair Grounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan
Clifford "was stopped at the end of the eighth on account of a bad cut over the left eye." (Appleton Post Crescent)
Feb 1923
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
American Light Heavyweight Title
The decision in Tunney's favor was hotly disputed. Regis Welsh of the Pittsburgh Post thought that Greb was robbed as did various other experts, including Commissioner William Muldoon, who called the verdict "unjustifiable". 19 of 23 newspapermen at ringside believed Greb should not have left the ring without his crown. 15 voted for Greb, 4 for Tunney and 4 voted for a draw. Greb was the aggressor and Tunney the counterpuncher. Greb was made to observe the rules closely and this undoubtedly curbed his usual "free-wheeling" style.
Feb 1923
Commonwealth Sporting Club, New York, New York
Jan 1923
Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Referee O'Brien stopped the fight because he claimed neither man was trying (Chicago Tribune). Bout was orig. scheduled for Oct 20, 1922 at Madison Square Garden but had been cancelled over purse dispute.
Nov 1922
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Nov 1922
Clermont Avenue Rink, Brooklyn, New York
Hanlon down twice and suffered broken jaw.
Oct 1922
Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts
Aug 1922
Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Inquirer judged Loughran the winner, and the Philadelphia Record, Philadelphia Public Ledger, Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, Philadelphia Bulletin, and Referee William Rocap all gave it to Tunney. Loughran was floored in the first. Tunney was staggered in the third.
Aug 1922
Broad A.C., Newark, New Jersey
According to all three Newark newspapers and all reporting New York City newspapers except one, Tunney won this fight handily. A report to the contrary appeared in the New York Times, but eye-witness accounts should be used whenever possible. (Source of information: Ed Cahill, New York City)
Aug 1922
Ocean Park Casino, Long Branch, New Jersey
Sometimes incorrectly recorded as occurring April 8.
Jul 1922
Arena, Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York
May 1922
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
American Light Heavyweight Title
Bout broadcast on radio by KDKA
Pittsburgh Post reported that Tunney fought extremely well. He made a great fight for 10 rounds, but Greb set a pace in the last five that overwhelmed Gene. Tunney's eyebrows were cut and he bled at the nose and mouth. Greb fought his usual fight, all over his man, and chopping him up. Tunney fought Greb much better than Tommy Gibbons had done in New York.
Apr 1922
Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Burke also down twice in the eighth round. Reported in the Pittsburgh Post.
Mar 1922
Armory, Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Grand Rapids Herald reported that Tunney was the winner. "There was not a dull moment in the 30 minutes of milling. The two men fought viciously at all times. (The referee) was not once forced to break the men apart..Using a straight left with deadly precision, and a short right cross that reached the mark any time he let it go, there was class in every one of Tunney's movements..Keiser led in the second and fourth rounds, Tunney's lead was clear in the third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rounds. Honors were even in the first, ninth, and tenth rounds." Kaiser was knocked to his knees in round three, but was "up in an instant;" this was the only knockdown.
Feb 1922
Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
From Philadelphia newspapers (Inquirer and Public Ledger.
Feb 1922
Clermont Avenue Rink, Brooklyn, New York
Clifford was knocked down six times during the bout.
Jan 1922
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
American Light Heavyweight Championship. "Tunney won as he pleased from the ancient Battler."--NY Daily News
Dec 1921
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
O'Hare died from an accident during a holiday in Maine shortly after this fight
Oct 1921
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York, New York
Oct 1921
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Burke received a badly gashed eye.
Sep 1921
Dyckman Oval, Manhattan, New York
Fight cut short from 15 rounds, to fit the time schedule
Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, 22 Oct 1921
Aug 1921
Sisco Park, Staten Island, New York
Aug 1921
Dyckman Oval, Manhattan, New York
Jul 1921
Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey
Tunney "appeared off-form and unimpressive". Jones was "a slow moving and wild-swinging novice without any apparent knowledge of boxing" (New York Times). This bout was a preliminary to the Dempsey - Carpentier fight.
Jun 1921
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York, New York
Ambrose substituted for Whitey Allen on the day of the fight and was way outclassed.
Dec 1920
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
The Jersey Journal reports Houck was floored in the 7th round, but dropped Tunney to one knee in the 9th.
Nov 1920
Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tunney won according to the Philadelphia Record and the Philadelphia Inquirer. (The Public Ledger did not carry the result.)
Oct 1920
6th Regiment Armory, Paterson, New Jersey
Samson down in the seventh round. Newspaper decision from the Pittsburgh Post.
Oct 1920
Sportsman's Club, Camden, New Jersey
Jun 1920
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
Jun 1920
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
Madden was billed as being from Panama.
Apr 1920
Community Hall, Johnson City, New York
Apr 1920
1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey
Mar 1920
Grand View Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey
From the Jersey Journal (Herb Goldman). Kinley substituted for Dan O'Dowd and served as a "chopping block" for Tunney.
Feb 1920
1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey
Roberts went down in the first round and three times in the seventh round before the knockout in the eighth. The over-matched Staten Islander put up a game fight. Both earned $750.
Jan 1920
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
Jan 1920
Schuetzen Park, Bayonne, New Jersey
Tunney knocked out Nelson with a right to the body and a left to the jaw.
Jan 1920
Schuetzen Park, Bayonne, New Jersey
A left hook to the jaw by Tunney put Allen down for the count.
Dec 1919
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
It was a one-punch knockout for Tunney, coming on a right to Pearce's jaw.
Dec 1919
Schuetzen Park, Bayonne, New Jersey
Newspaper decision from Jack Kincaid (New York area newspapers).
Apr 1919
Cirque de Paris, Paris, Paris
Service fight. Tunney won the light-heavyweight championship of the American Expeditionary Forces. Report from Stars and Stripes (Mike DeLisa).
Apr 1919
Cirque de Paris, Paris, Paris
Service bout. Semifinal for American Expeditionary Forces light-heavyweight championship. Report from Stars and Stripes (Mike DeLisa).
Mar 1919
Tours, Indre-et-Loire
Service bout. Report from Stars and Stripes (Mike DeLisa).
Jan 1919
Salle Wagram, Paris, Paris
Service bout. From Stars and Stripes (Mike DeLisa).
Jan 1919
Cinema des Arts, Paris, Paris
L'Echo de Paris 11-01-1919. Service bout.
Dec 1918
Romorantin, Loir-et-Cher
Service bout, date uncertain.
Dec 1918
Romorantin, Loir-et-Cher
Service bout, date uncertain.
Nov 1918
Romorantin, Loir-et-Cher
Service bout, date uncertain.
Nov 1918
Romorantin, Loir-et-Cher
Service bout, date uncertain.
Jul 1918
4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey
Tunney punched Guarini all over the ring. Near the end of round one, Guarini could take no more and went to the canvas for the full count.
Jan 1918
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York, New York
Dec 1917
New Polo A.C., New York, New York
Dec 1916
Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre, New York, New York
Date first given in the 1956 edition of The Ring Record Book.
Dec 1916
Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre, New York, New York
The Van Every articles in Self-Defense Magazine state that this was Tunney's fifth fight, and his second with Leahy (or Lahey), but it came a little later in Gene's career than that, according to Paul Zabala (source Brooklyn Eagle). Miner's Theater was the site of the Village A.C., and was located at 25th Street and 8th Avenue (which is actually not located in Greenwich Village, as usually claimed). UPDATE: Newspaper decision from NY Sun
Dec 1916
Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre, New York, New York
Date first given in the 1956 edition of The Ring Record Book.
Dec 1916
Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre, New York, New York
"Eugene Tunney made Young Gurani (sic) quit in the eighth round at the Village A. C. last night." (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
"Young Guarini quit in the eighth round of his bout with Eugene Tunney at the Village A. C. last night, as the going was too heavy." (NY Sun) The Village A.C. fights were held at Miner's Theater.
Jul 1916
New Polo A.C., New York, New York
According to Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY Sun and NY Evening Telegram this fight was a draw. Ed Van Every's articles in Self-Defense Magazine states that this was Tunney's fourth fight and a six-rounder. However, it occurred in the summer of 1916 and was probably his fifth fight. It is possible that there was an earlier 6-round fight with Jaffe, as mentioned in the Van Every articles. The supposed fight of October 2, 1917, between Tunney and Jaffe, has been eliminated, as no trace of it has been found by Jack Kincaid in a search of New York City newspapers.
Dec 1915
Fairmont A.C., The Bronx, New York
This was Tunney's sixth fight, according to the Van Every articles in Self-Defense Magazine, but probably was the fourth. It occurred at the Fairmont A.C. on a Saturday night, but the exact date needs verification. The name of Tunney's opponent may have been "Rohe, " not "Rowe, " as given here, but this is uncertain. He was "a pretty big figure in the semi-pro baseball world around 1915 and 1916."
Aug 1915
Fairmont A.C., The Bronx, New York
This third fight for Tunney was a six-rounder fought at the Fairmont on "one hot summer's night, " according to the series of article by Ed Van Every in Self-Defense Magazine, but the date needs verification.
As George "Lahey"
Aug 1915
Miner's Bowery Theatre, New York, New York
Held on stage at Minor's Theater (Village A.C.). Battling Genrimo (not Geronimo) was "known at the Battling Barber of Hoboken..He was a wild swinging boy of husky stature and absolutely devoid of science." (quote from series of articles by Ed Van Every in Self-Defense Magazine.) The exact date is not known, but it would have been a Friday evening in August.
Jul 1915
Sharkey A.C., New York, New York
Said to be Tunney's first fight in a series of articles by Ed Van Every in Self-Defense Magazine, beginning with Volume 2, No. 6 (October 1928).
Confirmed as Tunney's pro debut. Tunney floored Dawson in the 7th round of the fight and Dawson did not come out for the 8th round. Source: Tunney, a biography by Jack Cavanaugh.
