James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight. Tunney retired as an undefeated heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928.

Mary Lydon from Gurthgarve, Kiltimagh, immigrated to the United States after the famine. She settled in New York City where she met John Tunney, also from Kiltimagh. They married after a short courtship. The Tunneys had seven children; one son, a policeman, died, while Gene would become famous as World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Tunney, who now reports that he lost a second fight in World War I, a 10 round decision, to Tommy Loughran, a Marine before he began his professional boxing career. Tunney was regarded as an extremely skillful boxer who excelled in defense. In addition to beating Dempsey, the most famous fighter of his era, Tunney defeated Tommy Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, and many other fine boxers. Tunney also had a brief acting career, starring in the movie The Fighting Marine in 1926. Unfortunately, no prints of this film are known to exist.