17 Facts About Tunney Hunsaker

Tunney Morgan Hunsaker 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.

Tunney Hunsaker was born in the Western Kentucky town of Princeton, in Caldwell County.

In 1960, Tunney Hunsaker was Cassius Clay's first opponent in a professional boxing bout.

Ali and Tunney Hunsaker became good friends and stayed in touch over the years.

Tunney Hunsaker said he did not agree with Ali's decision to refuse military service, but praised him as a great humanitarian and athlete.

Tunney Hunsaker fought as a boxer-puncher, by his own telling.

Tunney Hunsaker once appeared on the undercard at Madison Square Garden.

Tunney Hunsaker ended up with a record of 17 wins with 15 defeats with 8 wins by knockout.

Tunney Hunsaker's career ended after a boxing-related head injury suffered on April 6,1962, in Beckley, West Virginia.

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

Tunney Hunsaker was later inducted into the Law Enforcement Hall Of Fame.

Tunney 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.

Tunney Hunsaker was three times named Sunday School Teacher of the Year.

Tunney Hunsaker suffered the physical effects of his last match for the rest of his life.

Tunney Hunsaker was 74 when he died on 27 April 2005, having been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in his last years.

Tunney Hunsaker's body was buried in Huse Memorial Park cemetery, Fayetteville, West Virginia.