Boxing Gloves, worn by Gene Tunney in the Long Count Fight

Object Details

Tunney, Gene

Description (Brief)

These boxing gloves were worn by heavyweight Gene Tunney “The Fighting Marine” (1879-1978) in the 1927 title match against Jack Dempsey (1895-1983) now known as “The Long Count Fight.” Tunney had previously defeated Dempsey in a fight held in Philadelphia in 1923, called at the time the “upset of the century.”

The era's increasing acceptance of mass-entertainment, as well as fascination with the opposing public personas of the two fighters, found unprecedented interest in the rematch, held at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The fight became the first two million dollar gate in American history, and millions of listeners listened to it live over the new medium of radio. Tunney won the bout, but confusion over new rules created controversy: Dempsey's failure to follow new procedures and return to a neutral corner after knocking down Tunney in the seventh round resulted in a delayed count, apparently allowing Tunney more time to recover. The "Long Count" inspired public interest and media attention long after the event.

Credit Line

Gift of Alexandra T. Kelly, Erin C. MacLeod, Ann M. Tunney, Jay R. Tunney, and John V. Tunney

ca 1927

ID Number

2011.0070.01

accession number

2011.0070

catalog number

2011.0070.01

Object Name

boxing gloves

gloves, boxing

Physical Description

leather (part: gloves (exterior) material)

cotton (part: gloves (interior) material)

metal (part: plaque material)

paper (part: letter and envelope material)

Measurements

part: gloves: 11 in x 6 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in; 27.94 cm x 16.51 cm x 8.255 cm

part: plaque: 3 in x 1 1/2 in x 3/4 in; 7.62 cm x 3.81 cm x 1.905 cm

part: envelope: 5 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in; 14.605 cm x 8.89 cm

part: letter: 11 in x 3 1/2 in; 27.94 cm x 8.89 cm

See more items in

Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure

Exhibition

Entertainment Nation

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

name of sport

Boxing

web subject

Sports

level of sport

Professional

Record ID

nmah_1403190

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-56dc-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa