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 spoilers
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.
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