Tunney beat a rusty Dempsey the first time but defeated a well-trained and prepared Dempsey in the rematch. However, he had to survive a near-knockout to eke out another win.
Marciano was always in condition consistent with the old tradition of boxers not getting but keeping themselves in shape. I think Marciano is the only heavyweight champion who was always in tip-top fighting condition which allowed him to implement and sustain his high-octane, attacking style of fighting for the entire 15 rounds if needed.
There's no time for respite round after roiund, moment after moment for whoever was fighting Marciano because his threat of KO was always present including and most especially in the later rounds when many opponents thought they had the fight all sewed up and they were already coasting to victory.
I think a buzzsaw as Marciano would have been too much for Tunney to contain for the entire 15 rounds and 45 minutes of non-stop, fast-paced gruelling action.
Marciano by bruising UD or late round KO/TKO.
Hard to say, but Tunney was slick and if he could avoid being pounded by Marciano then he would win a decision.
I would give the edge in a 12 round fight to Tunney.
these guys are made for each other. boxer vs aggressive puncher. tunney would build a lead, the rock would rally and after 10 rounds it's even.
the big question is who will have the more stamina in the championship rounds.
as much as i love tunney, i gotta go with marciano by decision as gene bearly makes it to the final bell.
Not me..............If an old , out of shape............away 3 years Dempsey can catch Tunney, then Rocky who was one of the top conditioned fighters of all time, with the will to win and a chin to match, would catch Tunney on the ropes and torture him over and over. late round TKO stoppage. IMO
.
12 rounds prime for prime
