How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986?

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

The thing here to is that Holmes took the sensible super cautious route vs Cooney. He had him possibly ready to go early but remained cautious, if he let loose she might be goodnight. Holmes may have made Cooney look better by simply giving him plenty of time to compete. It's reasonable that Holmes might have taken Cooney out easily

True, the fact that Holmes decked Cooney in the second round was a telltale sign that Gerry's balance and durability were highly in question, especially considering that Holmes was no banger, and at the age of 32 may very well have been past his prime.

Stylistically though, Cooney may have been a small threat to Tyson at his best ( but not in 1986 ). Tyson was not 6'3 the way that Holmes was, and in fact would have stood a full 8 inches shorter than Cooney. He would not have had the luxury of picking Cooney apart from a distance, nor benefited from facing an inactive Cooney, who's confidence was torn from years of drinking and stewing over the Holmes loss, the way that Spinks and Foreman had. Tyson also fought at a lower center of gravity, and when moving in, may have been subjected to getting tagged with some of those hooks and uppercuts that Cooney threw. If the timing was right, and Tyson walked into a very powerful Cooney left, he might have been put into jeopardy. I can think of another tall fella with a pretty solid left hook/uppercut that gave Tyson trouble, who's name was Razor Ruddock. Remember, this would not be about who the better fighter actually was, but an issue of styles and physical differences.

Nevertheless, Tyson should be heavily favored to destroy Cooney, but in the unlikely event that Gerry showed up with the balls to wage war, he might have given Mike some problems, at least at his best.

[Bill1234]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

The thing here to is that Holmes took the sensible super cautious route vs Cooney. He had him possibly ready to go early but remained cautious, if he let loose she might be goodnight. Holmes may have made Cooney look better by simply giving him plenty of time to compete. It's reasonable that Holmes might have taken Cooney out easily

I agree. Larry was very cautious early on because he knew that Cooney had a left hook from hell, and knew and stated that Cooney had dynamite behind each and every punch, even the jab. I don't think Tyson would be cautious, and would just come flying out as usual, although he would probably get tagged with a nasty left hook here or there, but other than that it would be all him.

[JohnThomas1]

Originally Posted by Bill1234

I agree. Larry was very cautious early on because he knew that Cooney had a left hook from hell, and knew and stated that Cooney had dynamite behind each and every punch, even the jab. I don't think Tyson would be cautious, and would just come flying out as usual, although he would probably get tagged with a nasty left hook here or there, but other than that it would be all him.

He might smother Cooney's hook i think and stuff his timing. KO1 would not surprise whatsoever.

[Robbi]

Cooney would be made to order for Tyson.

[Bill1234]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

He might smother Cooney's hook i think and stuff his timing. KO1 would not surprise whatsoever.

It wouldn't surprise me either, but I think he might get a hook in to the body due to his size.

[radianttwilight]

Originally Posted by Bill1234

It wouldn't surprise me either, but I think he might get a hook in to the body due to his size.

Cooney being 6'7 is actually an advantage for Tyson, who would destroy him via the body.

Factor in Cooney's lack of durability and this makes for an easy night for Mike.

Razor Ruddock was ten times as durable as Cooney, and he still lost both fights with an older Tyson.

[Bill1234]

The one was a BS stoppage though, but I know what your getting at.

[biglads]

I don't see this as much of a contest. Tyson by early KO, might be a bit of a Carl Williams night.

[red cobra]

The ***** in Gerry's armor would surface against Tyson, who would administer a frightful, one way beat down, and crush Gerry in 4 or 5. There would be several knockdowns against Cooney, but Tyson would have taken everything from Gerry very well. Tyson was on top of the world back then, and Gerry Cooney would have had no chance. Tyson would have enjoyed this one because of all the ballyhoo about Gerry before the fight.