biography
| name: |
Tunney, Gene
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popular name of James Joseph Tunney, nickname the Fighting Marine
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1898–1978)
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| biography:
| Boxer, born in New York City, New York, USA. Although he boxed as a youth, he came to notice when he won the light heavyweight title of the American Forces serving in Europe in World War 1 (he was in the US Marines). He was the world heavyweight champion (1926–8) and twice defeated Jack Dempsey during the 1920s ‘golden age’ of sports. He was the beneficiary of a controversial ‘long count’ in the second Dempsey bout in 1927, when he was knocked down and given a delayed count before coming back to defeat Dempsey on points. Cultivated and well spoken, he posted a career record of 65 victories (43 knockouts), two defeats, and one draw. In World War 2 he served in the US Navy as director of its physical fitness programme. His son, John V Tunney, was US Senator from California (1971–7). |
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