Gene Tunney biography
Gene Tunney, byname of James Joseph Tunney, additionally referred to as the Fighting Marine, (born May 25, 1898, New York, New York, U.S.—died November 7, 1978, Greenwich, Connecticut), American boxer who defeated Jack Dempsey in 1926 to turn out to be the world heavyweight boxing champion.
Tunney started boxing whereas working as a clerk for the Ocean Steamship Company in New York City (1915–17). He joined the U.S. Marine Corps throughout World War I and in 1919 gained the sunshine heavyweight championship of the American Expeditionary Force in Paris. He returned dwelling to his boxing profession and gained the U.S. mild heavyweight championship in 1922. That 12 months Tunney suffered his solely skilled defeat, in opposition to Harry Greb, however regained the title from Greb in 1923. He knocked out Georges Carpentier in 1924 and subsequently fought as a heavyweight.
Dempsey was the favoured fighter on this planet championship bout in Philadelphia on September 23, 1926, however Tunney gained by determination after 10 rounds. The rematch in Chicago on September 22, 1927, gave rise to the lasting controversy of the “long count.” In the seventh spherical Tunney was knocked to the canvas, Dempsey didn't retire instantly to a impartial nook, and the rely didn't start till he had performed so, a number of seconds later. Tunney then rose on the rely of 9 and accomplished the 10-round combat, once more profitable by determination. Tunney defended his title in opposition to Tom Heeney in 1928 after which introduced his retirement on July 28 of that 12 months. From 1915 to 1928 Tunney had 77 bouts, profitable 65, of which 43 have been by knockouts.
Tunney entered the enterprise world within the United States and Canada, the place he turned an government of banks, manufacturing corporations, insurance coverage corporations, and a newspaper (The Globe and Mail [Toronto]). He pursued his curiosity in literature and was the creator of A Man Must Fight (1932) and the autobiographical Arms for Living (1941). One of his 4 youngsters, John V. Tunney, was a U.S. senator (1971–77).