Tunney Hunsaker

Tunney Morgan Hunsaker (September 1, 1930 – April 27, 2005) was an American professional boxer who is best remembered as the first professional opponent of boxing great Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali. Outside of his boxing career, Hunsaker served many years as the Police Chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Early life He was born in the Western Kentucky town of Princeton, in Caldwell County. In his youth he served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Boxing career In 1960, Hunsaker was Cassius Clay's (later Muhammad Ali) first opponent in a professional boxing bout. After the fight Hunsaker said, "Clay was as fast as lightning ... I tried every trick I knew to throw at him off balance but he was just too good". In a thumbnail profile of the fight the following January, young Cassius was reported as having remarked that Hunsaker's style was far different from what Clay had been exposed to as an amateur and Olympian; the young fighter admitted to nervousness going in, and that Hunsaker's aforementioned pro style, had given him trouble. This respect appears genuine, as it was lasting—in his autobiography, Ali said Hunsaker dealt him one of the hardest body blows he ever took in his career. Ali and Hunsaker became good friends and stayed in touch over the years. Hunsaker said he did not agree with Ali's decision to refuse military service, but praised him as a great humanitarian and athlete. Learning of Hunsaker's passing, Ali commented to WV Public Radio, "I have fought better fighters but none with a bigger heart."

In the fight game, Hunsaker was a small heavyweight, perhaps better suited for light-heavy classification (175 lbs. limit); today, he would most likely compete as a cruiserweight (190 lbs. limit). He fought as a boxer-puncher, by his own telling. Hunsaker once appeared on the undercard at Madison Square Garden. Hunsaker ended up with a record of 17 wins with 15 defeats with 8 wins by knockout.

Law enforcement career Hunsaker became the youngest police chief in the history of West Virginia, going on to serve as Fayetteville police chief for 38 years.

Personal life

Hunsaker was active in the Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene for many years, teaching a Sunday School class for fifth and sixth grade boys. He was three times named Sunday School Teacher of the Year. At the time of his death in 2005 he had been married to wife Patricia for over thirty years.

In the US state of West Virginia, the Fayette Station Bridge carrying County Route 82 over the New River at the bottom of New River Gorge was named after him.

Death Hunsaker suffered the physical effects of his last match for the rest of his life. He was 74 when he died on 27 April 2005, having been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in his last years. His body was buried in Huse Memorial Park cemetery, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Professional boxing record

Loss 17–15–1

KO 10 April 6, 1962

Win 17–14–1

KO 1 February 24, 1962

Loss 16–14–1

KO 2 October 16, 1961

Loss 16–13–1

TKO 8 September 28, 1961

Win 16–12–1

TKO 6 August 22, 1961

Loss 15–12–1

UD 10 April 25, 1961

Loss 15–11–1

KO 5 March 21, 1961

Loss 15–10–1

UD 6 October 29, 1960

Loss 15–9–1

TKO 9 April 12, 1960

Loss 15–8–1

SD 6 February 5, 1960

Loss 15–7–1

PTS 10 January 16, 1960

Loss 15–6–1

UD 12 November 14, 1959

Loss 15–5–1

TKO 10 September 30, 1959

Loss 15–4–1

PTS 8 July 24, 1959

Win 15–3–1

PTS 8 July 1, 1959

Draw 14–3–1

SD 12 June 20, 1959

Win 14–3

KO 1 May 2, 1959

Win 13–3

UD 6 March 28, 1959

Win 12–3

KO 3 September 30, 1958

Win 11–3

KO 2 August 16, 1958

Loss 10–3

KO 2 June 23, 1958

Win 10–2

SD 6 June 9, 1953

Win 9–2

TKO 4 June 2, 1953

Win 8–2

KO 1 April 20, 1953

Win 7–2

SD 10 March 10, 1953

Win 6–2

PTS 8 February 10, 1953

Loss 5–2

PTS 6 December 30, 1952

Loss 5–1

PTS 10 November 5, 1952

Win 5–0

UD 6 October 20, 1952

Win 4–0

KO 3 October 7, 1952

Win 3–0

PTS 6 September 23, 1952

Win 2–0

PTS 6 July 31, 1952

Win 1–0

UD 4 July 22, 1952