Damn... good one. I don't know, Cooper had so many good attributes but I don't know if he had that dog in him required for life at the very top of the boxing world. I always think of how strong he started the first few rounds against Samson Pou'ha (Boxing for once even) before falling to pieces in short order. To be fair, that's Cooper removed from his prime with substance abuse issues, but I suppose my concerns about his resolve remain. Earnie had a lot of faults but he was a warrior for sure, I can't recall Cooper ever rallying to win.
If they’re both in shape and motivated this could be bloody and exciting. I’d make shavers a favorite but only by the narrowest of margins. Cooper was tough as nails
This is one of the more difficult match-ups to choose a winner I've seen on here. About as close to 50/50 as it gets. I suppose I'd go with Shavers by KO. Excellent fight that probably would see both guys on the canvas. Probably over within 5.
I take Cooper by KO. The version that lost to Ray Mercer (and turned Mercer into a grotesque zombie-looking mess in the process) was hard as nails with some real grit in there. He was a better boxer than Shavers and he had a better gas tank. Sure Shavers hit a bit harder but imho had a worse chin. And Cooper hit really hard too. I think Bert at his best gives a lot of top boxers some grey hairs.
Very good argument for Cooper. Good enough to have me doubting my own pick even more than I already was. I do agree that Cooper had better stamina and a better chin. I can see Cooper winning for the reasons you pointed out, but it's the type of fight I'd avoid betting on. The odds would probably be something like +100000 on a decision either way.
I like Shavers a lot, but I am sitting on the fence right now... I think I need to check some Cooper and Ernie footage before making my mind
This is the way I personally offer up this version of Cooper. I think this fight took a great deal out of him because I never saw him as good again. Mercer too, maybe This content is protected