Lunny Returns to Boxing

Ray Lunny, the professional boxer who became a San Mateo County crimefighter, will soon make a comeback in the ring – in a manner of speaking.

Lunny, who retired from the Jan. 24, told Patch he plans to help with the boxing program at the Redwood City Police Athletic League.

“I want to work with high school boys,” said Lunny, who fought as a super featherweight (formerly called junior lighweight) in the 1970s when he compiled a professional record of 25 wins, 10 by knockouts. He lost 4 fights and 3 of his matches were called a draw.

“I really got my start at the PAL a long time ago when it was known as the Police Youth Club,” said Lunny, who believes boxing instills discipline and “an appreciation for one’s opponent.”

His father, also Ray Lunny, coached boxing at Stanford University, and first drew headlines as an amateur. He won the AAU featherweight crown, Golden Gloves, and, most impressively, became a double winner in 1970 when he left and went to Russia as part of an AAU national team. His Russian opponent had won 137 of 140 fights and had a reputation as a brawler. Lunny’s speed was too much for the Russian, who lost in a unanimous decision. When he returned home to Redwood City, Lunny was given a plaque by the City Council. Today, he is in the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame.

Lunny, 60, who graduated from San Carlos High School, went on to hold the North American Junior Lightweight crown and be ranked No. 3 in the world as a pro in the mid-1970s.

His final fight was a loss to Alfredo Escalera in a WBC championship bout in Puerto Rico. Lunny’s father stopped the fight between the 12th and 13th round after his son suffered a cut eye.

Lunny’ most memorable local fight was probably his 1975 loss to Tyrone Everett of South Philadelphia at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

“Boy, he could box!” Lunny said.

At the time, the San Mateo Times said Lunny “jabbed, was on his toes and was the aggressor for the entire 12 rounds.” However, it said Lunny was “unable to cope with Everett’s speed.”  The report noted that one judge, who scored the fight in Lunny’s favor, deducted points from Everett’s score for low blows.

Everett's life ended sadly – shot to death by a girlfriend. Lunny went on to become a lieutenant in the sheriff’s department where he served for 29 years after a three-year stint with the Burlingame Police Department.

As for his wins, Lunny’s favorite was his victory over Frankie Crawford, also at the Civic Auditorium. Lunny knocked Crawford out in the third round with a left hook. He told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2009 he still remembered the punch.

“The timing in the left hook was the best I ever hit anyone with,” he said.

Lunny was well known as the sheriff’s department spokesman when he retired, but much of his career involved working at jails. He said he never had to use his boxing skills on the job.

“If I had to subdue someone I’d use a restraining hold,” he said.

Lunny came by his boxing talent naturally. His father, who died in 2003 at the age of 83, was dubbed “The Pride of the Mission.” The San Francisco fighter was 36-4-3 as a pro. In 1936 he was California AAU lightweight champion, a Golden Gloves champion and the Pacific Coast Diamond Belt champ.

The younger Lunny once told Sports Illustrated that his lack of size led him to the ring. He recalled that he was the smallest boy in his first-grade class at in Redwood City. He said he “weighed all of 50 pounds” and ran for home the first time he was challenged to fight.

Lunny has three sons, but there is no Ray Lunny IV. And, he added, none of the boys is a boxer.

Correction: The original article reported that Everett decked Lunny twice. No knockdowns occurred in that fight.