[AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, SPORTS NOTABLES, BOXING, HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS]

On offer here is an original typed letter on Tunney's personal stationery signed by American boxing champion, Gene Tunney. The letter dated in 1975 references Tunney's son who was a California Senator and mentions Tunney sending the letter recipient a signed photo of him 'just before he won the championship' in 1926.  

James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1915 to 1928. He held the world heavyweight title from 1926 to 1928, and the American light heavyweight title twice between 1922 and 1923. A highly technical boxer, Tunney had a five-fight light heavyweight rivalry with Harry Greb in which he won three, drew once, and lost once, though many ringside reporters believed Greb should have won the decision in their 2nd meeting. He also knocked out Georges Carpentier and defeated Jack Dempsey twice; first in 1926 and again in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey remains one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight. He retired undefeated as a heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928, after which Tunney was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine.

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