Lyle was totally washed up when they met in 1980. He'd already been stopped by some journeyman called Lyn Ball. What about a prime Cooney facing the Lyle of 1975/76 ? i envisage a similar bout to Lyle/Foreman with both men connecting with each other and the canvas ! This time Lyle is the eventual victor. Before eight rounds are up.
I imagine glasstemple and weakheart Cooney being mauled and ko'd in 2. He never could have stood up to Lyle's hammers. Besides the fact that he would have avoided him like the plague. Cowardly Cooney NEVER fought a contender in his prime who could not punch, much less take your head off. His fans that think different are dilusional and just wish for whst wasn't. The facts speak out and prove them wrong.
I think Lyle would win by KO, early... cooney can't box... so his only chance of attack in this fight is too come right at Lyle. lyle may not be as tall as Gerry, and maybe he doesn't hit as hard, but Lyle had the far better chin, and I think he's stronger.. they can both punch, but Lyle can take it better. he's got the better chin therefore I'm picking him.
A prime Lyle would have beaten a prime Cooney. I saw this because Lyle, in his earlier days, actually had decent legs. When necessary, he could move and dance to dodge punches. Certainly Lyle's footwork was nothing like Larry Holmes's, but it was just sufficiently effective to enable to him dodge blows when necessary. By 1980, Lyle seems to have totally lost his legs, thus he was a sitting duck for Cooney's hook. Lyle would minimize punishment taken from Cooney, would recover from after taking some devastating left hooks, and take control with powerpunches. I cannot picture Cooney recovering from Lyle's best shots. Thus, I'd have to pick Lyle, within three to six rounds, in what is probably a very competitive and entertaining fight. In the end, Cooney is counted out.
It wouldn't be like the great Lyle-Foreman bout because no way could Cooney handle that punishment. But it's a very interesting match-up. I'd probably go with Cooney because I think he'd reach Lyle first and that might end it.
Lyle was brutally tough. A very strong man and a huge puncher. No doubt he was washed up when he fought Cooney. Prime for prime I favor Lyle buy Cooney was faster and had a hell of a shot style wise ...
Lyle was totally shot when he went in against Cooney for a good payday in 1980. A scant five years earlier Lyle would have won. Lyle KO 5
the general consensus says lyle by ko and i'm not disagreeing.the lyle-bert cooper fight sounds like a good match up too
Ron would take out Gerry in 3 to 4 rounds.......survive the initial Cooney onslaught and then proceed to wear him out, Lyle style.
I'd say he was as brutally tough as d great Jeremy Williams but being bigger allowed him 2 land easier on his opponents since he needed less 2 come forward , also it made his opponents more careful because of it . And don't get me wrong , Cooney was still significantly more **** than Lyle , but he was bigger which just might make it an even fight which could really go either way , unless Lyle manages 2 extend Cooney and then wins because of fatigue , not that Lyle's stamina was 1 of d best either , but he also had n advantage here .