I don’t think Lyle looked out of shape against Cooney as some have said. At 40 years of age and 211 lbs he looked pretty lean and mean. Sure he was washed up - perhaps even shot. But Gerry beat him by going to the body and breaking his rib, something that could have just as easily happened five years earlier. I can’t see Ken beating Gerry at any point. It wasn’t just his age. His fighting style invited a tall rangy puncher like Cooney to get to him and his chin wasn’t that sturdy either. I’d like to think that in 1973 he’d last longer than 54 seconds though...
Man, there must have been as many posters here calling themselves Cobra as there are well known boxers nicknamed cobra.
Cooney had power in his hook to the body and head- Lyle was slow and could be hit- Norton also has a poor record vs Punchers - Norton could not back up - I favor Cooney early against both men but may take a round or 2 more- I don't see Lyle or Norton being able to beat a prime Gerry and that was before the year layoff between the 2- 1rd wins- Lyles best win was over Earnie Shavers who gassed after putting Lyle on the floor- his best loss was against Big George Foreman (who was wide open and amateurish in their exciting war) I seen Lyle get shook by Quarry and let Quarry dictate after being hurt- Cooney was not as durable as Quarry but doubled up on the hook and was faster than Jerry Q and hit harder with his left hand - Jerry had power in both hands- I favor a prime Cooney over Lyle and Norton
He beats both. I believe that is the most likely outcome for either fight. The Lyle fight being closer. Norton always gets KO'd
I think I'd make Cooney a slight favourite over Norton.Its a pity we can't have the words of wisdom from that paragon of objectivity on Gerry Cooney, Bollocks,sorry I mean Morlocks? He has departed for other climes ,our loss I am sure.lol
LOL. He was one passionate guy that I usually disagreed with. His posts at least got easier to decipher as time went on....
Norton had that disturbing tendency to shut down against big punchers, so I pick Cooney in three. Lyle might have gotten rocked or even knocked down, but I see him stopping Cooney in five.
A bit off topic, but I always got the feeling Ali's handlers woke him the hell up for the Lyle fight, because the former was looking pretty bad for most of that fight. I think Angelo and co. must have said something that shook Ali awake, because the turn around in that fight was quite dramatic and sudden. Lyle didn't have the best chin, but he was a really good fighter with an undeniable knockout shot. And hey, he's one of only a few men to knock down Big George, hats off to him as a great contender.
I believe Norton was a way greater fighter than Cooney, but it's hard for me to see him not getting his flush with the left hook sooner or later...and Cooney's left uppercut is no joke, either. I just don't know if Ken could take that, especially since he was most often coming in.
I respect that opinion in regard to Ken knocking out Cooney 100%. I think Ken could definitely do that. I also think the wins over Ken and Lyle were relatively inconsequential... However, I also think Ken Norton was an ATG, so I'll respectfully agree to disagree on that point, my friend.
To be fair to Cooney, his rise coincided with the end of the 70's greats. They were all still in the top 10 but all washed up. I guess Scott LeDoux would have been a live one but really ? Weaver ? Otherwise, who could he fight ?
