Gene Tunney

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Statistics
Gene Tunney

Real name	James Joseph Tunney
Nickname	The Fighting Marine
Weight	Heavyweight
Nationality	American
Birth date	May 25, 1897
Birth place	New York City
Death date	November 7, 1978
Style	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	88
Wins	82
Wins by KO	48
Losses	1
Draws	3
No contests	2

James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-28 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight. Tunney retired undefeated as a heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928.

Tunney, who in World War I served in the U.S. Marines, had only one loss in his entire professional career — a 15 round decision to Harry Greb for the American Light Heavyweight title, a defeat that he later avenged in four more fights against Greb. He was regarded as an extremely skillful boxer who excelled in defense.

In addition to beating Dempsey, the most famous fighter of his era, Tunney defeated Tommy Loughran, Tommy Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, and many other fine boxers.

Tunney also had a brief acting career, starring in the movie The Fighting Marine in 1926. Unfortunately, no prints of this film are known to exist.

He was elected as Ring Magazine's first-ever Fighter of the Year in 1928 and later elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1980, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Gene Tunney was the father of John V. Tunney, who was a Senator and Representative from California from 1965 until 1977.

Upon his death in 1978, aged 81, Tunney was interred in the Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford, Connecticut.