Would Cooney be competitive against Usyk?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Sep 22, 2025.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter Full Member

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    I have no doubt that Usyk eventually stops Cooney, but could Cooney have made a fight out of it? He’s a very good body puncher and has a pretty underrated right hand. He’s got fast hands and has hurt some sturdy chins like Foreman and Holmes in his fights with them.
     
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  2. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Aj was competitive, and he has 0 boxing iq. Cooney might win a couple rounds but get stopped late
     
  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Sure he would be,a prime Cooney definitely.
    He'd probably lose but he'd put in a good fight.
     
  4. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Cooney was competitive against everyone not named George Foreman. and even in that fight he gave Foreman a good punch in round one.

    Usik is not Foreman.

    Usik would still win, however.
     
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  5. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Competitive? Probably. I see it going the distance and Usyk winning something like 9-3 or 10-2 but some of the rounds being close with Usyk just about nicking it.

    Ultimately, Cooney's only major shot at winning is to land a liver left hook that southpaws are vulnerable too. But Usyk is a consumate pro and i am sure he will do his homework and avoid the big left hook to liver somehow.

    Usyk UD 12, 9-3, and yes, Usyk will have to survive some thunderous body shots but Cooney lacks the right hand that he needs to win this fight. A great left hook will bother Usyk but it won't be enough.
     
  6. The Cryptkeeper

    The Cryptkeeper Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He doesn’t beat Usyk but he sure as hell hurts him at some point.
     
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  7. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

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    Usyk turns 40 in January 2027. How's about we match that Usyk with 1980 Cooney?
     
  8. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    The Cooney that fought Holmes makes it a 50/50 fight IMO
     
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  9. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    I think it would play out similar to the second Dubois fight.

    Once Cooney tries to look for the KO after getting frustrated, he will get badly countered.
     
  10. West of Hollywood

    West of Hollywood Active Member Full Member

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    I was sort of thinking the same thing. That version of Cooney was very good and highly motivated although I would still favor Usyk - but not by much. Cooney at one point really hurt Holmes to the body and he could do the same thing to Usyk.
     
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  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    AJ is excellent
     
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  12. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Define excellent
     
  13. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    adjective
    extremely good; outstanding.
    "their results are excellent"
    Similar:
    very good
    superb
     
  14. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I wouldn't associate those words with joshua at the top level, otherwise every single world champion is excellent. Dubois made him look like an amateur. It was certainly an excellent experience to watch a prime joshua get ragdolled again and brutally knocked out
     
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  15. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    You have to have some excellence to be a world champion