Gene Tunney’s final boxing match was also arguably his best, as his 11th-round knockout won awards for its quality back in 1928.
After 83 fights and 79 victories, including back-to-back wins over Jack Dempsey to become the undisputed world Heavyweight champion, Gene Tunney decided to hang up his gloves after just one more fight.
Having felt the physical and mental strain of competing at the top level for so long, his fight on July 26, 1928, would be the final outing of his legendary career.
Having remained undefeated at Heavyweight up until this point, he faced a Kiwi Heavyweight who posed the biggest threat in what would be one of the greatest fights of all time.
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Gene Tunney won the first Fighter of the Year award by beating Tom Heeney
Tunney fought just once in 1928, but that victory earned him the honor of being The Ring’s first-ever Fighter of the Year.
That honor was bestowed upon the world Heavyweight champion after he finished Tom Heeney after an incredible fight in Yankee Stadium.
Heeney outweighed Tunney by 11.5 pounds, but the champion was known to be quick on his feet while also being supremely powerful, and he had all the tools to put the hurt on his Kiwi opponent.
While Heeney came out of the blocks swinging, the cool and calm Tunney used his speed and footwork to keep the larger man at bay, gradually wearing him down over the course of the fight.
As damage began to accumulate around Heeney’s right eye, Tunney saw his chance to finish the fight. He knocked him down in the tenth round, but the fight was over in the eleventh.
Tunney still looked as sprightly as in the first round, while Heeney was spent. He struggled to defend himself, and with just eight seconds left in the round, the referee called the fight to protect the challenger and awarded Tunney the win.
He would announce his retirement just five days later, although the legacy of the fight convinced The Ring to make him their first Fighter of the Year in 1928.
Muhammad Ali compared Gene Tunney to himself
If that fight didn’t impress you, then the words of Muhammad Ali as he gushed over Tunney may change your mind.
Ali spoke about Tunney in an interview, where he compared himself to legendary fighter, admitting that he moved in a way as a Heavyweight that Ali only thought he did in his career.
“And we see he’s moving now, he’s got that scientific footwork that most heavyweights just don’t have.
“It’s hard to believe, but he’s circling the ring at this speed. Watch the ropes, watch the corners, watch the camera, you’ll see that he’s actually moving.
“And that’s kind of difficult. I thought I was the only heavyweight who could do that. I’ve heard people say Gene Tunney, next to myself, was one of the most scientific boxers in history.”
Ali was born 14 years after Tunney retired from fighting, but he was clearly influenced by another all-time great boxer in Tunney, in his own style.