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

11-14-2007, 09:40 PM

In 1986, Mike Tyson was between 19-20 years old. Cooney was 29-30. Tyson stood 5'11" and weighed around 216. Cooney was 6'7" and weighed about 225. Cooney wasn't particularly active, but scored okay wins over Phil Brown, George Chaplin, and Eddie Greg. Tyson was much more active, but being taken 10 rounds a piece by Tillis, Green and Ribalta. Later that year he would destroy Berbick.

Could Cooney's size, experience and style have prevailed against a young, green Tyson? On the otherhand, would Cooney be another Mitch Green who just survived the 10 round distance?. Or would Cooney's inactivity and lack of confidence, lead him down the path to a stoppage early?

What do you think?

Bill1234 · 11-14-2007, 09:54 PM

Well, if Cooney gets his huge left hooks in clean on Tyson right away, he has a shot at discouraging Tyson, but I doubt he'd get them in, as he didn't have a good jaw, or survival skills.

SteveO · 11-14-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assassin

Not very ,I say he gets blasted out before the 5th round.

Zakman · 11-14-2007, 11:40 PM

Cooney was one of my favorite fighters when I was first really getting into boxing, but he would have been cannon fodder for Tyson in '86. If he made it past the third, I'd be surprised.

JohnThomas1 · 11-15-2007, 03:51 AM

Tyson would chop him down in no time. Anywhere from 35 seconds to 3 rounds for me.

ChrisPontius · 11-15-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zakman

Cooney was one of my favorite fighters when I was first really getting into boxing, but he would have been cannon fodder for Tyson in '86. If he made it past the third, I'd be surprised.

For once i have to agree with you.

I think Cooney had very little durability. Just that it was hidden by the fact that he rarely faced a puncher who was anywhere close to his prime. Tyson would annihilate him.

TBooze · 11-15-2007, 04:52 AM

Cooney mentally would not of been able to cope. He in theory had the physical tools to compete, but Cooney was with hindsight (I thought he would give Spinks hell

), a lost cause post Holmes.

janitor · 11-15-2007, 05:14 AM

Tyson would get a good workout for his next fight.

godking · 11-15-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woddy

In 1986, Mike Tyson was between 19-20 years old. Cooney was 29-30. Tyson stood 5'11" and weighed around 216. Cooney was 6'7" and weighed about 225. Cooney wasn't particularly active, but scored okay wins over Phil Brown, George Chaplin, and Eddie Greg. Tyson was much more active, but being taken 10 rounds a piece by Tillis, Green and Ribalta. Later that year he would destroy Berbick.

Could Cooney's size, experience and style have prevailed against a young, green Tyson? On the otherhand, would Cooney be another Mitch Green who just survived the 10 round distance?. Or would Cooney's inactivity and lack of confidence, lead him down the path to a stoppage early?

What do you think?

Tyson wins this probably early Cooney has neither the style or Chin to beat Tyson.

I see Cooney lasting 5 rounds at best.

JohnBKelly · 11-17-2007, 04:27 PM

Cooney was shot after the Holmes fight so he would be easy meat for Tyson in 86 just like he was for Spinks. Cooney and Tyson both threw away their best years.

11-17-2007, 04:44 PM

If Cooney shows up in good shape in 1986, against Tyson unlike the way he was against Spinks a year later, then he might give Tyson a few rounds worth of trouble. Cooney was much larger than Tyson, and might catch Mike as he's coming in with some of those left hooks and uppercuts. Gerry would have been one of the hardest and largest punchers that Mike ever faced, and a 1986 Tyson at age 19-20, was having enough trouble with a shot Tillis, and average Mitch Green. Cooney didn't have the durability needed to go 10 rounds with Tyson, but keep in mind, Tyson would still have to land on Cooney to take full advantage of this. When Gerry wanted to, he could box fairly well, and had a lengthy jab with significant power.

Most people see Cooney in 1986 falling victom to Tyson early, and that may be the case, but if Gerry shows up ready to fight, then he might give a green Tyson trouble for 5 or 6 rounds.
A 1981 Cooney could have given an 86' Tyson quite a bit of trouble if he cought him early.

Langford · 11-17-2007, 05:15 PM

Cooney would largely beat himself before he got into the ring. I do not like his chances all that much. '86 Tyson KO 2 '86 Gerry Cooney.

CzarKyle · 11-17-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBooze

Cooney mentally would not of been able to cope. He in theory had the physical tools to compete, but Cooney was with hindsight (I thought he would give Spinks hell

), a lost cause post Holmes.

I agree 100% with this. Cooney could have landed some decent shots against Tyson, but I highly doubt he'd last too long after getting tagged by Tyson's left hook.

Cooney against Spinks I'd easily assume Cooney coming out on top, but Spinks really but that thought to death.

Second Opinion (It just came to me): If Cooney had come in ready for the fight like against Holmes, then he'd have a much greater chance. But would Cooney have been able to get himself that psyched up again? That's the thin line that would make that fight go from a possible Tyson domination to a real slugfest. I'd still say a young Tyson would come out on top.

Now if we start placing certain version's of each fighter against each other, I'd say:

1981 Cooney Vs. 1988 Tyson - This would be the battle to watch.
Winner: Tyson possibly by late match KO, and maybe...just maybe...Cooney would be able to do some serious damage to Tyson.

1986 Cooney Vs. 1986 Tyson - I'd say this one a young Tyson still does damage. This version of Cooney appeared beatable.

1981 Cooney Vs. 1990 Tyson (The Buster Douglas version) - This would be Cooney's best chance to win. Nearly any great contender could lay claim to this version. I can't really call this one. I want to say Cooney, but I'm unsure.

1990 Cooney Vs. 1988 Tyson - This would be a huge blow out. Tyson victory.

JohnThomas1 · 11-17-2007, 09:51 PM

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

SteveO · 11-17-2007, 10:01 PM

Even with his size, I think Cooney would be a little terrified.

Tyson would get inside and knock him out.

11-14-2007, 09:40 PM	#1
Woddy Guest Posts: n/a vCash:	How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? In 1986, Mike Tyson was between 19-20 years old. Cooney was 29-30. Tyson stood 5'11" and weighed around 216. Cooney was 6'7" and weighed about 225. Cooney wasn't particularly active, but scored okay wins over Phil Brown, George Chaplin, and Eddie Greg. Tyson was much more active, but being taken 10 rounds a piece by Tillis, Green and Ribalta. Later that year he would destroy Berbick. Could Cooney's size, experience and style have prevailed against a young, green Tyson? On the otherhand, would Cooney be another Mitch Green who just survived the 10 round distance?. Or would Cooney's inactivity and lack of confidence, lead him down the path to a stoppage early? What do you think?
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11-14-2007, 09:54 PM	#2
Bill1234 Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,006 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Well, if Cooney gets his huge left hooks in clean on Tyson right away, he has a shot at discouraging Tyson, but I doubt he'd get them in, as he didn't have a good jaw, or survival skills.
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11-14-2007, 11:40 PM	#4
Zakman ESB's Chinchecker East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Ivory Tower Posts: 12,147 vCash: 500	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Cooney was one of my favorite fighters when I was first really getting into boxing, but he would have been cannon fodder for Tyson in '86. If he made it past the third, I'd be surprised.
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11-15-2007, 03:51 AM	#5
JohnThomas1 Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 11,098 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Tyson would chop him down in no time. Anywhere from 35 seconds to 3 rounds for me.
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11-15-2007, 04:52 AM	#7
TBooze Champion East Side Guru Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South of London Posts: 9,790 vCash: 0	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Cooney mentally would not of been able to cope. He in theory had the physical tools to compete, but Cooney was with hindsight (I thought he would give Spinks hell ), a lost cause post Holmes.
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11-15-2007, 05:14 AM	#8
janitor P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 19,162 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Tyson would get a good workout for his next fight.
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11-17-2007, 04:27 PM	#10
JohnBKelly Journeyman Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 89 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Cooney was shot after the Holmes fight so he would be easy meat for Tyson in 86 just like he was for Spinks. Cooney and Tyson both threw away their best years.
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11-17-2007, 04:44 PM	#11
Woddy Guest Posts: n/a vCash:	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? If Cooney shows up in good shape in 1986, against Tyson unlike the way he was against Spinks a year later, then he might give Tyson a few rounds worth of trouble. Cooney was much larger than Tyson, and might catch Mike as he's coming in with some of those left hooks and uppercuts. Gerry would have been one of the hardest and largest punchers that Mike ever faced, and a 1986 Tyson at age 19-20, was having enough trouble with a shot Tillis, and average Mitch Green. Cooney didn't have the durability needed to go 10 rounds with Tyson, but keep in mind, Tyson would still have to land on Cooney to take full advantage of this. When Gerry wanted to, he could box fairly well, and had a lengthy jab with significant power. Most people see Cooney in 1986 falling victom to Tyson early, and that may be the case, but if Gerry shows up ready to fight, then he might give a green Tyson trouble for 5 or 6 rounds. A 1981 Cooney could have given an 86' Tyson quite a bit of trouble if he cought him early.
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11-17-2007, 05:15 PM	#12
Langford Gatekeeper ESB Full Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 416 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Cooney would largely beat himself before he got into the ring. I do not like his chances all that much. '86 Tyson KO 2 '86 Gerry Cooney.
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11-17-2007, 09:51 PM	#14
JohnThomas1 Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 11,098 vCash: 1000	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? 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
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11-17-2007, 10:01 PM	#15
SteveO MSW ESB Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,125 vCash: 1040	Re: How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986? Even with his size, I think Cooney would be a little terrified. Tyson would get inside and knock him out.
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