Author Jack Cavanaugh: “Tunney: Boxing’s Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey”

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11min 04sec

When Colorado native Jack Dempsey, nicknamed the "Manassa Mauler," lost the heavyweight boxing championship to Gene Tunney in 1926, it was a national sensation. The New York Times#eI# made it the lead story and ran 25 articles. All that ink reflected the popularity of boxing at the time and the compelling contrasts between the two men. Tunney preferred reading Shakespeare to pummeling opponents. Dempsey started out brawling for money in bars across Colorado and Utah. He developed a ferocious style that often led to first-round knockouts. A new book explores the men's rivalry – and their friendship. Dan Meyers talks to author Jack Cavanaugh about #I#Tunney: Boxing's Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey.