It is one of boxing's most talked about incidents. In 1926, boxing master Gene Tunney outpointed slugger Jack Dempsey in Philadelphia to win the world heavyweight crown. Their rematch a year later in Chicago produced the famous 'long count.' Watch as Dempsey floors Tunney but forgets to go to a neutral corner as required by the new rule. Tunney takes a nine count but stays on the canvas for 14 seconds because of Dempsey's gaffe. Tags:JackDemspeyGeneTunneylongcount Added: 7th May 2008 Views: 163 Rating: Posted By:Lava1964
The controversy is, of course, whether Tunney could have beaten the count if Dempsey had not forgotten the neutral corner rule. Tunney always maintained he was alert but wisely took the extra time Demspey's error gave him. Dempsey and Tunney became good friends. Demspey always said he had no reason to doubt Tunney's claim.
Nicknamed the 'Manassa Mauler,' Dempsey was known as a ferocious fighter who kept continuously on the offensive. He fought exhibition matches in the 1930's before retiring in 1940. Out of 84 fights, Dempsey compiled a record of 62 wins, 51 of them by knockout. He later became a successful restaurateur. He died on May 31, 1983.
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