Tunney always reminded me of a scaled up version of Willie Pep, he was very underrated as a defensive boxer, but he used distance to nullify his opponents punches almost as well as Ali did. You almost have to compare the Sonny Liston that Ali fought with the Jack Dempsey that Tunney fought to accurately judge between Ali and Tunney. When you do, Ali pretty much is superior to Tunney in all aspects, but the fight does give all the appearances of the heavyweight version of Sadler/Pep. Those who question Ali's punching power need look no further than the KO victories over Foreman, Frazier and Liston to realize Ali was much more substance than flash. Tunney's other opponents with the exception of Greb in no way compare to Ali's opponents, and Tunney's level of aggression couldn't possibly equal that of say Foreman or Frazier, so given Ali's hand speed, Tunney would have ran into a lot more counter punches than even Greb hit him with. This one might have turned out like the Henry Cooper fight, Ail might have got hit more than he was used to, but even that wouldn't have been enough to give Tunney any real chance of beating Ali. I got Ali as an overwhelming favorite and Tunney as a game underdog with about as much a chance of beating Ali as Norton had. A fight between Gene Tunney and Kenny Norton would have been a coin toss, that one is almost equal across the board, but putting Tunney up against Ali is a tall order for Gene.

Tunney was indeed a great boxer but is absolutely not the great HEAVYWEIGHT that many people make him out to be. He only had a total of TWO Heavyweight bouts with the first winning the title from a clumsy and unmotivated Dempsey and with the second defending the title against the same clumsy and unmotivated Dempsey. People simply just love to jump on the Tunney-Dempsey bandwagon just to boost up Tunney's heavyweight legacy. I'll admit that Tunney is somewhat similar to Ali in style but legacy wise, he had absolutely faced no where near the competition and quality of opposition level that Ali has faced. Not only Ali has faced one of the best competitions in boxing history but has a greater heart than Tunney.

This isn't to despair Tunney's ATG status but it's a little irritating when people use Tunney's victory over Dempsey as his greatness when people know damn well that the rematch/Long Count Fight could have obviously gone to Dempsey. Dempsey is also a bit overrated like Tunney(as a Heavyweight) but back to the question. A prime Ali would make Tunney look rather slow. Ali would simply just out-box and out-hustle Tunney while Tunney wins only a very few rounds with his skills and smarts but eventually at around round 12, Tunney is finally slowing down while Ali eventually lands a good combination on Tunney(lying on the ropes. The referee has seen enough of Ali's combos on Tunney and Ali wins by TKO in Round 12.

Ali in his prime would quite frankly give anyone troubles. Some argue that Gene Tunney wasn't an exciting fighter, in an era where sluggers and brawlers ruled the roost. Think Jack Dempsey and Harry Greb. He was a smart guy, with good (not great) power who could land thudding body shots and devastating counter punches. He had a great jab, and was always willing to get into an exchange at any time. That would be foolish against a stick and move guy like Muhammad Ali. Ali would have the handspeed and reach advantage, and most likely footspeed. I think Ali would be able to beat him, Tunney would be on the outside looking to counter, while Ali could hit with one-twos all night. By possibly a knockout, despite Tunney never being badly hurt except for the Dempsey rematch.

Muhammad Ali. Enough said. He was just so much greater than nowadays unknown Tunney.

tunney was great, but ali was bigger, stronger, faster and an all round better boxer.

I personally feel Ali was an evolved version of Gene Tunney with his speed, footwork, and consistent punching but who do you think would win between a prime Muhammad Ali vs prime Gene Tunney?