- Inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame, 2001 (charter member).
- Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1980.
- He was the first heavyweight champ to win his title by decision. All previous champions had won by knockout.
- He had a brother, John, who died as a teenager. Gene named his son after him.
- Was a world heavy weight champion when he retired from the ring. He had only one defeat during his pro-career.
- World heavyweight boxing champion, 1926-1928.
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1990.
- He had four children with his wife, Mary "Polly" Lauder: son, Gene Lauder Tunney; son, John V. Tunney; son, Jonathan R. Tunney; and daughter, Joan Lauder (born in 1939).
- He never lost a fight in the heavyweight division.
- Was only knocked down one time in more than 80 fights. His controversial "Long Count" is still debated today.
- Was one of the first scientific boxers.
- He nearly died after losing two pints of blood in his only career defeat. He went on to avenge that loss.
- Was on the fight card for the first Million Dollar Gate.
- Is mentioned by James Cagney in the boxing film Winner Take All (1932): When a woman asks his punchy character about Shakespeare, Cagney states that Shakespeare's "the fella who ruined Gene Tunny.".
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