Top 10 boxing heavyweight greats of all-time

(Original Caption) Louis wins by technical knockout in eighth round. New York City: As Champion Joe Louis blocks with his shoulders, Challenger Arturo Godoy misses a right to his face during their title fight in the Yankee Stadium, June 20th. Louis won by a technical knockout in the eighth round. /

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(Original Caption) 1926-Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania-: Closeup and head and shoulders of Gene Tunney as he prepared for a bout with Dempsey at his new last-minute quarters at Glen Brook Country Club, Stroudsburg, PA, 1926. /

4. Gene Tunney (65-1-1, 48 KOs)

Gene Tunney and his ranking on this list might seem like the most controversial selection, but it shouldn’t be. Arguably, Tunney is the most underrated heavyweight champion in the history of the sport.

Tunney was the original golden boy, although he never received the praise and devotion he was owed. Tunney was a marine in World War 1 which earned him the nickname ‘The Fighting Marine.’ He honed his skills while in the Marines and continued to refine them throughout his career.

What set Tunney apart from other boxers was his intelligence. He was book smart and a genius when it came to boxing strategy. He wasn’t a hulking heavyweight. Tunney was 6-feet tall and never weighed more than 192 pounds. What he lacked in size he made up for in wit.

Tunney was a boxing tactician. He had decent power, but it didn’t compare to the hardest punchers of his era. He made his bones as a light heavyweight and only lost once to Harry Greb in 1922. Tunney defeated Greb twice in 1923 winning the light heavyweight title in their second contest.

Once he moved to heavyweight, Tunney continued his winning ways against Georges Carpentier, Harry Greb again, and Tommy Gibbons. Those victories secured his place in history, but his two wins over Jack Dempsey make him a top-five heavyweight of all-time.

Their first bout in 1927 was a clear decision victory for Tunney. The 1928 rematch was controversial due to the “long count.” Dempsey knocked Tunney down in round 7 and had him hurt, but Dempsey forgot the rule he fought to include in the fight rules.

The rule stipulated that in the event of a knockdown that the standing boxer would have to return to a neutral corner instead of hovering over a downed opponent. Dempsey forgot the rule and surrounded Tunney. The referee struggled to return Dempsey to the neutral corner, which gave Tunney added time to recover.

Tunney got to his feet and survived the round. He went on to knock down Dempsey in round 8 and successfully defended his title by unanimous decision. Tunney only defended the heavyweight title twice, but his body of work speaks for itself.

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