I'm not too surprised. Not everyone is fast to respond, and neither is really interested in the old-timers. You ought to ask for greynotsoold's opinion on this one he know's the two fighters as well as anyone on here.
Anyways here's my take on them. We all know Joe Louis for his hard punching, especially in close. The problem is that Louis liked to get set for his punches, and consequently he'd at a disadvantage against the fleetness of Tunney's footwork. I remember reading in book, that Eddie Futch sparred with Joe Louis before Joe was the champ. He noticed that Joe only would throw a punch when his feet were set. Eddie took advantage of this and being a lot lighter than Louis he was able to get in and out to land his punches before Louis could get his feet set. Louis for the life of him could never figure out why he couldn't hit Futch. It's been a few years since I read it, if anyone here is interested in looking it up I think the name of the book was "Cornermen".
Gene Tunney is without a doubt one of the smartest boxers there was. He didn't need to rely on an outside opinion when it came to figuring out his opponent's style, where as Blackburn had to make a lot of the adjustments for Louis. I think that from watching some of Joe Louis's fight's that Gene would most likely be able to make the same observation that Futch realized. Gene Tunney with his great legs fighting Joe at 188 lbs, he wouldn't have a problem catching Louis before Louis could get set.
On another note, Gene Tunney had a terrific right hand comparable to even the Brown Bomber's. I remember on a few occasions that Joe was stunned and almost confused after taking a right hand on the jaw. It also happens that the right hand is one of most natural counters of Gene Tunney, especially after he really tried to cultivate it after he watched the Demspey get shaken by a right hand by Carpentier. Gene Tunney had a clever fast jab, he could land his right to the head and body while placing his shots where they mattered most. His left hook to the liver were all effective when he put it all together.
Looking at the size difference between Tunney and Louis, you'd think that this plus all things considered would make Tunney have to hustle. He'd have to if he was going to beat a dangerous puncher like Louis. Louis may have looked slow especially against a boxer like Conn, but if you give him one moment that could be all he'd need and the last thing you'd hear is 10! Joe Louis had the reflexes, and was a great counterpuncher that knew just as well as Tunney on where to place his punches. Tunney has proven that his willpower and physical condition can also pull himself to his feet when he fought Dempsey.
Despite all that I said, I still favor Tunney to win. This is assuming that you got the Gene Tunney that fought that awesome night in Philidalephia to fight the best Joe Louis.

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