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

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.