A $40 ringside ticket stub for the Gene Tunney v Jack Dempsey heavyweight world championship rematch fight (''The Long Count Fight'') held at Soldier

A $40 ringside ticket stub for the Gene Tunney v Jack Dempsey heavyweight world championship rematch fight (''The Long Count Fight'') held at Soldier Field Chicago 22nd September 1927 Gene Tunney dominated the fight for the first six rounds. In round seven, however, the 104,000 in attendance witnessed a moment that would live on in boxing history. With Tunney trapped against the ropes and near a corner, Dempsey unleashed a combination of punches that floored the champion. It was the first time in Tunney's career that he'd been knocked down. Dempsey delayed getting back into a neutral corner and by the rules of boxing referee Dave Barry could not start to count on Tunney until Dempsey had done so. Some believe this cost Dempsey the chance to regain his world Heavyweight crown, as a subsequent timing from a film records that Tunney was on the canvas for 13 seconds from the knock down blow till he got to his feet on the referee's count of nine. Hence, the bout has become known as ''The Long Count Fight.'' In the next round a recovered Tunney floored Dempsey with a punch and dominated the final rounds to retain the world title by an unanimous decision. After the fight, Dempsey lifted Tunney's arm and said, ''You were best. You fought a smart fight, kid.'' It was Dempsey's last career fight.