Gene Tunney

James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was an American professional boxer active from 1915 to 1928, holding the world heavyweight title from 1926 to 1928 and the American light heavyweight title twice between 1922 and 1923. Born in New York City on May 25, 1897, to Irish immigrant parents from County Mayo, he was inspired early on by President Theodore Roosevelt to pursue physical fitness. Tunney fought approximately 68 official professional bouts, losing only one—to Harry Greb while fighting as a light heavyweight. He also had an unofficial rivalry with Greb spanning five fights, winning three, losing one, and drawing one, though many ringside reporters felt Greb deserved the decision in their second meeting.

Tunney defeated Georges Carpentier by knockout and twice beat Jack Dempsey, first in 1926 and again in 1927. The second Dempsey bout, known as the Long Count Fight, remains one of boxing’s most famous contests. Tunney retired undefeated as heavyweight champion after beating Tom Heeney in 1928, and was named The Ring magazine’s inaugural Fighter of the Year. Known as a highly technical, thinking boxer, he preferred a chess-like approach, using footwork and rapid jabbing, though his earlier fights against Greb showed vicious body punching and willingness to trade blows.

He was never knocked out and was knocked down only once, in the Long Count Fight. Tunney also served as a Marine private during World War I, becoming the American Expeditionary Forces champion, and later reached the rank of major in the Connecticut Naval Militia. He briefly acted in the film The Fighting Marine in 1926, though no prints survive. He was elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1980, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.