Ronald Reagan promised to ring Cooney if he beat Holmes

[junior-soprano]

Originally Posted by kieranmarciano

But never rang Holmes to congratulate Holmes' tough fought victory?

seem like there's a racist undertone to that story I've just read.

well maybe he just favoured cooney ?? or didn't like holmes ?? i think playing the racist card is not in place here..

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by junior-soprano

well maybe he just favoured cooney ?? or didn't like holmes ?? i think playing the racist card is not in place here..

I agree that it's not a dead cert that racism was on the agenda,but it was definitely a bit odd that Reagan displayed such obvious bias towards one combatant in particular.

One certainly can't blame those who suspect a racist agenda.

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by PowerPuncher

Regardless it was either naive or perhaps racially motivated support for a President. Was Reagan so ignorant he was oblivious to the racial undertones of the fight and the race riots following Johnson-Jeffries? I don't personally think it's a big deal but it's more evident of the racial issues in America as a whole

Reagan was half Irish for the record. I also feel pretty bad for Cooney, if he was black he would have made less money cashing out, but wouldn't have been crucified like he was and probably would have had a better career after. As a whole I think he's pretty underrated

Cooney may well have had a more succesful career if he'd been brought along more wisely. He should have fought more young contenders before being thrown in with Holmes. There again,his people may have only cared about one big money shot at the title.

[SLAKKA]

The story is totally true as well as Cooney making a bigger payday then the freeking champion!!

[he grant]

Originally Posted by SLAKKA

The story is totally true as well as Cooney making a bigger payday then the freeking champion!!

Wrong on both accounts.

[SLAKKA]

How so??
I can clearly recall Holmes bitching about it back in 82 like it was yesterday.

[mr. magoo]

I don't know if I'm ready to say that Reagan was "anti - black" per say, but he certainly wasn't very politically correct either.. He was not a fan of gays and was more likely than not a male chauvinist.

[Garrus]

chauvinist

[kenmore]

Reagan's behavior was disgraceful.

[MAG1965]

if this is true it does not surprise me, but it is very unfair to Larry or any opponent to single out someone like that.

[The Kurgan]

Originally Posted by TBooze

I am no Republican, but it should be noted for years Reagan was a staunch Democrat...

So was George Wallace.

[Seamus]

Originally Posted by mr. magoo

I don't know if I'm ready to say that Reagan was "anti - black" per say, but he certainly wasn't very politically correct either.. He was not a fan of gays and was more likely than not a male chauvinist.

You couldn't be more wrong. He was from HOLLYWOOD. He worked with gays all the time and even let a gay couple stay over the weekend in the White House, the first known poofters since Lincoln to do so.

[Seamus]

This begs the question, Is it wrong for a white man to root for a white fighter? Or in turn, is it wrong for a black man to root for a black fighter?

[BUDW]

Sounds like BS, maybe it was a Irish think Regan liked to play up even with his rival Tip.

[Garrus]

Originally Posted by Seamus

This begs the question, Is it wrong for a white man to root for a white fighter? Or in turn, is it wrong for a black man to root for a black fighter?

Absolutely.

The black guys are okay though.