Tunney Can’t Win

Introduction

In this short letter to the editor published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on July 20, 1928, Robert E. Howard provides a colorful and historically comparative prediction about the upcoming world heavyweight title bout between Gene Tunney and Tom Heeney, held on July 26. Written a week prior to the match, Howard argues that despite Tunney’s clear advantages in speed, skill, and power, a kind of historical pattern—what he calls a “jinx”—dooms him to defeat.

Summary

Howard constructs a parallel between two championship eras: the reign of James J. Corbett in the 1890s and that of James J. Tunney in the 1920s. Both were Irish-American boxers named James J., known for their scientific, strategic fighting style. Corbett defeated the famed slugger John L. Sullivan, then beat Charley Mitchell, Sullivan’s closest equal. Tunney mirrored this, defeating Jack Dempsey and earlier knocking out Tom Gibbons—Dempsey’s toughest opponent.

Howard notes that Corbett eventually lost the title to Robert Fitzsimmons, a rugged, Irish-descended ex-blacksmith from New Zealand. In 1928, Tunney is set to defend his title against another rugged, Irish-descended ex-blacksmith from New Zealand: Tom Heeney. Based on this uncanny historical alignment, Howard predicts that Heeney will win—not because he’s the better fighter, but because fate, as it played out before, will repeat itself.

Despite his stated preference for Tunney, Howard concludes that the “New Zealand jinx” will decide the outcome. In reality, Tunney won the fight by TKO in the 11th round.

Characters

  • James J. Tunney – Reigning World Heavyweight Champion in 1928; strategic, scientific boxer; Howard’s favored fighter in the match against Heeney.
  • Tom Heeney – Challenger in the 1928 title fight; New Zealander of Irish descent and former blacksmith; compared by Howard to Robert Fitzsimmons.
  • James J. Corbett – World Heavyweight Champion from 1892 to 1897; Irish-American boxer known for his skill and technique; historical parallel to Tunney.
  • John L. Sullivan – Former heavyweight champion defeated by Corbett; characterized by Howard as a “superslugger.”
  • Charley Mitchell – British boxer who once gave Sullivan a tough contest; later defeated by Corbett.
  • Jack Dempsey – Heavy-hitting champion defeated by Tunney in 1926; another “superslugger” in Howard’s comparison.
  • Tom Gibbons – Skilled boxer who went the distance with Dempsey; knocked out by Tunney before Tunney became champion.
  • Robert Fitzsimmons – New Zealand-born, Irish-descended former blacksmith who defeated Corbett in 1897 to become World Heavyweight Champion; his role is mirrored by Heeney in Howard’s analysis.

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