Tunney Hunsaker, 75; Losing Boxer in Ali’s First Pro Fight
Tunney Hunsaker, 75, who lost to boxing great Muhammad Ali in Ali’s first professional fight, died Monday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at an extended care facility in Fayetteville, W.Va.
Hunsaker was Fayetteville’s police chief when he fought Ali -- then known as Cassius Clay -- at Louisville’s Freedom Hall on Oct. 29, 1960. Hunsaker was a journeyman heavyweight who had fought more than 20 bouts. Clay was 18.
By the end of the sixth and final round, both of Hunsaker’s eyes were swollen shut. Clay won by a unanimous decision.
Hunsaker’s father named him for another famous boxer, Gene Tunney. A native of Fayetteville, Hunsaker started boxing in the Air Force and won a Golden Gloves title while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
In Hunsaker’s final fight in April 1961 in Beckley, W.Va., Joe “Shotgun” Sheldon of Cleveland landed a 10th-round punch that sent Hunsaker into a coma for nine days and required two brain operations.
Hunsaker and Ali stayed in contact throughout the years, and Ali attended Hunsaker’s police retirement party in Fayetteville.
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