Who would win this Heavyweight fight? Could Klitschko stay away from Cooney's powerful left hook? Would Klitschko keep the jab in Cooney's face offsetting his attack? 12 rounds.(I don't think it would go 15).
The vastly more complete and skilled Wlad Klitschko would put Gerry Cooney away anywhere from round 4 to 7.
I can assure you that 90% of posters here will pick Klitschko and perhaps rightfully so, but I am not about to count out Gerry Cooney.. In fact, I think he has a much better puncher's chance than people give him credit for. Wlad's biggest achilles heel has always been fast starting left hookers, and frankly, I think a prime Cooney who stands 6'7, 230 Lbs, and was 24-25 years of age at his best is a potentially bigger problem than a 38 year old Corrie Sanders or Lamon Brewster. I'll leave out ross purity because I think Wlad was unpolished at the time, plus the result was more of a matter of gassing late rather than falling victom to getting tagged early. Furthermore, folks should consider that Cooney's losses to Spinks and Foreman do not factor into the equation here. Gerry had long fallen out of the rankings, and was consumed by a life alcoholism with little or no intention of ever launching a serious comeback after the Holmes fight. Speaking of the Holmes match, Cooney had been off for 13 months, and had only boxed a single round within a two year period, yet still managed to go 13 rounds with a prime Holmes and win 5 of them against a man who was both more durable and arguably a better boxer than Klitschko. If we're searching for a peak version of Cooney, we should probably look circa 1980, when he was fighting more actively and dusting every man in his wake, old or not. This particular rendition of the great white hope had fast starting ability, great power and ample size to go along with youth - a rare combination seen in most of Wlad's opponents.
I think Cooney could **** Wlad up. He'd be the scariest fighter Wlad has fought IMO and I wouldn't bet on this fight. Wlad may be a favorite but Cooney has serious power and serious punching ability, and he made a fight with Holmes reasonably competitive.
I'm included in the 90%. I think Klitschko would win this. I believe it is true that Cooney has a puncher's chance, but Klitschko would win most times against Cooney...in my opinion.
Cooney was a dangerous puncher and he has a puncher's chance, but i think his defence was rather weak and he didn't seem to use his jab as well as he perhaps could've. He made a good attempt in the Young fight, though. But i think the most likely scenario is that Wlad plays it safe and lays him out somewhere between the 4th and the 7th round. Remember that Holmes put him down with a single right hand. Holmes is a good but not great puncher; Wlad is....
I think they overhyped his height a bit, i think he was between 6'5" and 6'6". Certainly against Holmes he didn't look 6'7". Have a gander: This content is protected I know that Cooney is not having his head upright, but it still doesn't look like he has 4 inches on Holmes at all. Probably more like 2. Holmes looks very focused and confident. This content is protected This content is protected
If a golfer could knock out Wlad, Cooney could certainly do the same, plus he had he chin to walk through Wlads ammo. Id pick Cooney by mid round stoppage.
He is listed at six feet six and one half inch. Having met him several times and being six feet four myself, he does indeed look to be the listed height.
I see this fight as a toss up. Cooney peaked before his loss to Holmes. That version of Cooney may have beaten Wlad around 50% of the time. However, I haven't fully analyzed Wlad and may be selling him short.
Against Cooney, Vlad would have vastly better boxing skills and superior athleticism. Cooney was easy to hit, and Vlad almost certainly would have landed the first big punches in this fight. There is no way Cooney could have withstood Vlad's power. I think this fight would be over early. Of course, Cooney would have stood a puncher's chance, particularly since he was the same size as Vlad. Even so, Cooney would have to land the first big punch of this fight, and I don't think he was fast enough to do so. I say Vlad wins within five rounds.