information on Gene Tunney,,,

[4K2022]

Not many people recognize this American Hero.
My “hope is to find SOMEONE” who does.
80 wins. 1 loss.
A fascinating story, throughout EVERY decade of his life.

The stories are MANY and the relationships between himself and His circle of Lifelong acquaintances is, endless.

Please comment

 

[Alpo]

Why is he a hero?

The name sounded familiar, so I did a search and he was a heavyweight boxer back in the 20s.

How does that make him a hero?

 

[Bo Rich]

Well he beat Dempsey twice. Once in the infamous “Long Count”! The fighting Marine only lost to the Middle Weight/ Light Heavy Weight Champion Harry Greb from Pittsburg. Good tough technical fighter. Just lost to the ash bin of history. Like so many great boxers!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

“Gene Tunney, also known as James Joseph Tunney, was a heavyweight boxing champion from 1926–1928”. He passed in 1978. He was the champ when my dad was a boy so my grandfather would may have been a fan.

I like boxing but if they didn’t fight in the 1960s I wouldn’t be interested.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Tunney was a Marine in WWI, was in France and Germany, didn't see action. In WWII he was a navy officer and fitness instructor.

 

[4K2022]

Why is he a hero?

The name sounded familiar, so I did a search and he was a heavyweight boxer back in the 20s.

How does that make him a hero?

Thanks for taking the time to do a search Alpo.
Heroes are “personal to each of us as individuals.
As mentioned He was a veteran of BOTH World Wars. Also mentioned is the “fitness instructor” and Navy Officer.
The Fighting Marine during WW1 and Fitness instructor,, 20? years later.
The term fitness instructor sounds like a Golds gym employee. Technical fighting skills is what He brought to the US Navy.

He taught the entire US military how to Technically kill a man with bare knuckles. I’m sure His fitness program saved many allies lives.
Stepping back into the time of Newspaper and Radio and BOOKS.
Someone besides Me thought he was a Hero and they made him a 9 cent US stamp with his face on it.

 

[AJ]

I am prejudiced, he was a Jarhead.

 

[rwsmith]

I know who Gene Tunney was. I don't know if I'd classify him as a 'hero' any more than Mickey Mantle or Johnny Unitas but he is up there with the great boxers, especially those of his period, being something of an old timer. He's ok in my book because he was a boxer more than a slugger.

 

[Bo Rich]

The fighting Marine also liked to read books. That was odd for a boxer back then. Or Today for that matter. I guess you can’t be tough, and smart! Which is redictulous.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Depends on how you define "hero". He was a champion in a sport with clearly rules, served his country in 2 wars, seems to have been a decent individual. But his reign as a boxing champion was
a century ago. At a July 4th fireworks I met a man named Corbett, related to Gentleman Jim. Tell me about him.
Who remembers Donald M. Call ?

 

[Onomea]

The Roar of the Crowd is an autobiography by Jim Corbett. Pretty good read, so far, too. On Kindle for $8. Original and reprint hard copies are out there, too.

 

[swsig]

While Gene Tunney is OK, personally, I prefer Gene Tierney.

 

[lkabug]

While watching the Wednesday Night Fights, with my dad, on television back in the 50's
dad would mock an inexperienced fighter, saying he's no Tunney.

 

[fiasconva]

Those old-time fighters had some amazing records and fought a huge number of fights in their careers. They had to fight to live because the money wasn't all that great. Sugar Ray Robinson's record was something like 120-1 when he retired the first time.

 

[4K2022]

Those old-time fighters had some amazing records and fought a huge number of fights in their careers. They had to fight to live because the money wasn't all that great. Sugar Ray Robinson's record was something like 120-1 when he retired the first time.

Thanks for sharing BUT.
“,, the money wasn’t all that great.” That’s one of the Records He broke. Gene Tunney was paid one million dollars,,, for one fight. The First athlete to earn 7 figures. He earned more in one fight than The Babe did in his entire career. Fascinating stories surround him.

 

[4K2022]

The fighting Marine also liked to read books. That was odd for a boxer back then. Or Today for that matter. I guess you can’t be tough, and smart! Which is redictulous.

BOOKS yes, and I believe he admired the men who wrote them. George Bernard Shaw and Hemingway were both close friends. A story of sparring with Hemingway and several photos with both men.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Boxing seems to be out of fashion these days.
FYI-Donald M. Call ? WWI MoH winner.

 

[fiasconva]

Wow! 4k2022, I'm too lazy to look it up in my inflation calculator but I wonder how much that would equate to in today's money. Some of today's fighters purses are unbelievable. Pay per view has made them rich.

 

[riverrat38]

Thanks for sharing BUT.
“,, the money wasn’t all that great.” That’s one of the Records He broke. Gene Tunney was paid one million dollars,,, for one fight. The First athlete to earn 7 figures. He earned more in one fight than The Babe did in his entire career. Fascinating stories surround him.

About 18 million today, if it was in late 1920's!

73,
Rick

 

[4K2022]

Books, old books are the books these Guys read. Many of those stories were accounts of the Civil and Revolutionary War.
I personally started down this path by way of a Very, faded page Outlining a Very well persevered newspaper clipping of an interview with Orville Wright.
Our history is Our fight for survival.
The Peace Dollar, of 1921
Gentlemen Jim,, of Course

I thought this might be the kind of guy that had his name on the “registered magnum” list. Probably James Tunney.