Gene Tunney vs. Battling Levinsky
Gene Tunney 172 lbs beat Battling Levinsky 177 lbs by PTS in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1922-01-13
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Kid McPartland
- Judge: Patsy Haley
- Judge: Charles Meegan
"Gene Tunney, NY, won the American light heavyweight boxing championship here tonight when he received the judges decision after a 12 round bout with Battling Levinsky also of this city. Tunney, who was also light heavyweight champion of the AEF (American Expeditionary Forces), weighed 171 1/2 and Levinsky, a veteran of more than 300 ring battles, weighed 176 1/2. Levinsky kept close to Tunney in the first five rounds in which there was little exciting action. They warmed up in the 6th and Gene shook Levinsky with left hooks to the jaw. Tunney continued his assault in the 7th and punished Levinsky with several hard body blows. Levinsky made Tunney wince in the 9th when he shot three straight rights to his younger opponents head, cutting his eyes with one of the blows. Tunney resumed his body assault in the 10th." -Associated Press
Post fight comment
- "Carry on soldier, the American title is safe in your hands for a long time." -Battling Levinsky, to Tunney after the bout.