Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey 2

‘The Long Count’ Bout

To this day, the mystery and controversy that outlined the 1927 rematch between Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney makes the fight one of the most distinctive moments in boxing history. The fight came to be known as ‘The Battle of the Long Count’, for the confusion that surrounds whether Gene Tunney should have been counted out or not.

Background

Jack Dempsey, nicknamed ‘The Manassa Mauler, was hugely popular at the time for his aggressive and explosive style in the ring. He won the title in 1919, after destroying Jess Willard in 3 rounds, breaking several bones of the former champion in the process.  Dempsey, was a well-respected former marine, who fought and defeated the great Harry Greb in the light heavyweight division. Tunney had ended Dempsey’s reign the year before, in a pretty lopsided performance before 120,00 fans.

The public demanded the rematch, which was held outside of Chicago (where the first one was held), due to the fact notorious criminal Al Capone supported Dempsey and Dempsey didn’t want him to be involved in the fight. The fight drew a crowd of 105,000, generating nearly £3 million at the gate, a record that stood for decades. Tunney was paid $990,000, but paid Tex Rickard the difference so that he could receive a check for $1 million. Mystery surrounded the fight even before it started, as it is claimed that Abe Attell (the former Featherweight champion) offered Tunney $1 million to throw the fight.

The Fight & The Long Count

The fight itself followed the same pattern it did in the first, with Tunney using his skills to outbox the Manassa Mauler. It was in the seventh round, in which the true controversy started. Dempsey knocked Tunney down with a powerful right, followed up by a trademark-barrage that dazed the champion. The ecstasy and energy in the crowd was ecstatic, and Dempsey no doubt sensed his opportunity, which caused him to forget the new rule which stated that fighters were now no longer allowed to stand over their fallen foe after knockdowns, but had to instead go to the neutral corner. This meant the referee didn’t start the count until Dempsey had moved, which gave Tunney an extra 4 seconds before the count started. Technically, Tunney was on the floor for 13 seconds, which is why the fight came to be known as the Long Count.

Tunney got up, survived the rest of the round and managed to send Dempsey to the canvas in the next round. What’s interesting, is that the ref this time started counting instantly, even before Tunney went to the neutral corner. Tunney would then outbox Dempsey to win the next two rounds and retain his title.

Aftermath

Controversy broke out after the fight. And due to the fact that US law prevented transportation of fight films across state lines (after the outrage after the match between Jack Johnson and James J. Jeffries), many people didn’t get to see the fight for themselves. To this day, it is contestable whether Dempsey should have won the fight, but in truth, in the loss Dempsey became adored and admired for his sportsmanship and class in the way he dealt with the loss. Tunney later said he had got his head together at the count of 2 (which was really 6), and could have got up any time after that, claiming he stayed down until nine as a tactical decision. To which Dempsey replied, ‘I have no reason not to believe him. Gene’s a great guy.’