If you rewatch that fight a past it Young was giving Cooney a hell of a fight all the cut ands was never hurt by Cooney ... it's a myth that Cooney was beating him up ... it was a very even fight and easily could have gone Young's way if Cooney tired from the pace. Jimmy Young, in his brief prime, say 76 and 77 could really fight ... I don't know why he lost his focus and drive but he gave Ali fits, beat Foreman and Lyle, fought razor close to Norton and if you watch his fights he was a hell of a fighter !
I've watched it in the past month, it's one of my favorite short brawls. If YOU rewatch the fight, despite the fact that Young was doing fine for himself, he was still losing, and by the time of the cut, he was getting the life beaten out of him. I think the fight should've been stopped before the end of the 4th. I do think Young was good, and Holmes quote about him is typically true, but doesn't always apply. I think that most strong punchers with good speed and ability would beat Young and look fine doing it. Cooney did it and I don't think anybody has him in their heavyweight top 50.
I agree mostly with both these viewpoints - views that aren’t mutually exclusively imo. Young was past it and boxing very well. The cut of course seriously hampered his vision which, IIRC, was when Cooney truly got the upper hand. Young’s courage was extremely well upheld as well as a very decent beard. On the other hand, at least relative to his other career performances, Cooney’s display against Young was one of, if not the, best of his career. Very disciplined, well metered and very tight. Boxing very well, beautifully using and working off his jab. Young might’ve had quite a few so so performances but when he was at the top of his game and seriously intended, he was an elite - and yes, it took me quite a while before appreciating that fact since he wasn’t the most exciting fighter to watch at times. Also, despite being viewed as a soft puncher, there’s clear examples (imo) of Young rattling both Ali and Norton at different points when he let his hands go a bit more.
Excellent point about Wilder, for a guy with so many ko's he really didn't know how to finish an opponent. He had Fury on the mat more than a beer logo and kept letting him off the hook
Nice! Fury-Lite. I might have to steal that analogy when the next appropriate opportunity presents. Don’t worry, stealing is a form of flattery.
Watch the third round. Young already badly bleeding had Cooneys back to the ropes for the final 45 seconds. Till the horrible gash it was anyone’s fight . Young was not hurt once in the whole fight … he was blinded by blood but never staggered or wobbled.