WBC is actual rating not just some thing like Ring ratings. According to wiki Wbc is one of the most valid ways of ranking.
Let's see and compare best wins: Cooney:Lyle,Norton,Young Williams, Daniels,Terrell and Miteff Williams went 3 rounds with Ali and Liston Cooney went 12 rounds with Holmes and 2 with Foreman. One was knocked by Satterfield one was knocked by Spinks. I'll take Cooney.
The point is you didn't have a clue they were alphabet ratings. What next? Schmeling throwing the Louis rematch?
Ever thought about how old some of these guys were when they fought Cooney? Or do you just see the name and run with it? For example Norton was 38years old having his last fight. Lyle was nearly 40. Nineteen years old late sub Willams was ko'd by no9 ranked Satterfield and that means you pick Cooney to beat him? ps Satterfield hit a hell of a lot harder than Spinks!
If that floats your boat. You can think that if you want to narrow things. But the guy was officially a contender for the two major titles during that era.
Ever thought how many times Williams was decked during his career? Or what his finest “breakout win” was?