Gerry Cooney in a time machine lands in 1964.

Interesting scenario, he probably makes a name for himself and would eventually get his shot. I don't think the other contenders of the mid 60s could've beaten him, but I think Ali would've whipped him pretty easily

 

Gerry Cooney at the height of his career was 25-0 when he fought Holmes. Gerry went down in the second off a good right from Larry Holmes.

Liston, Williams and Folley would land on him and hurt him, Liston might even stop it early depending on his mental state after the loss to Clay/Ali.

Everyone else you mentioned may not have been fully prepared for a left hook from hell from the 6'6" 240lb giant of a man. Remember George Foreman was nicknamed "Big" George and he was smaller than Cooney.

I could see Gerry having some success but coming up just short against most.

 

Liston was getting up there in age and with injuries but he could probably pull it off, Terrell I'm not so sure

 

I'd favor Liston, Williams, and Machen with confidence. I don't think Folley's chin holds tbh. Patterson is 50-50. Much more skilled fighter but a severe size disadvantage. Gun to my head I'd go with Patterson.

Edit: Just saw this was '64. Machen was a shell of himself. Cooney wins that one as well.

 

In 1964 he would get beaten by both Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali

 

Terrell wun Cooney
Liston ko 7 Cooney

 

Gerry will come forward to Liston, If you think Cooneys beating at the hands of Holmes put him into a funk wait till Sonny's jab hits his face.

 

Probably ends much the same way.

His power and natural talent propel him up there, and he is marketable for teh same reasons, but eventually he is going to run into a Holmes.

Then his own vices will do the rest.

 

I like Doug Jones's chances. I could probably get favorable odds. Doug was a good boxer. He threw quick combinations, was aggressive, liked to move inside suddenly and throw, and he probably punched as hard as Michael Spinks.

 

I agree about Floyd. He certainly had the speed and power to put Gerry on ***** street. Machen was no longer at the top of his game but he knew a lot of tricks, could hit with both hands and was an excellent defensive fighter. And he was strong and athletic, like a football player. I think he was better than anyone Cooney ever beat, when you consider the ages of Gerry's best-known victims. I'd be tempted to pick the Eddie of 1964.

Off the subject, I met a man in Chiang Mai, Thailand who had worked at the mental hospital where Machen had once resided. He was no fan of Mr. Machen. He said Eddie hurt a lot of staff members there during his wild outbursts.

 

Great thread! I feel Gerry had so many demons, addictions and mental health issues that these may sink him. However as a purely physical specimen back then I see him cleaning up if he can hold it together upstairs!