Terrific Tuesday Tussle-Joe Bugner Versus Gerry Cooney

This fight almost happened.

 

Yep. They were supposed to fight on Dec. 5, 1981 as a tuneup to the Holmes fight. But Cooney's team said Gerry pulled a muscle in his back and called it off.

Bugner had only had one fight in the previous four years. (Although he put together a pretty decent comeback in the 80s.)

 

Dubble, thanks for the info. I couldn't remember when. I was coming up with '82 around the time of the Shavers fight but you have it a bit earlier. Wasn't Joe also involved with the Cooney camp sparring?

 

my heart tells me Bugner, but I think Cooney would stay him off with his long reaching jab, height & boxing to victory... however, Bugner could surprise.

 

Cooney by UD. Bugner would feel that hook to the head and body, and run and clinch, losing all 10 rounds.

 

Bugner worked with Cooney through 81 as a sparring partner. I would love to know how those sessions went. Because They selected Bugner as a genuine opponent on the strength of how well Bugner did. Interestingly, Bugner picked Cooney to beat Larry “for sheer determination” on a BBC show ahead of the Holmes Cooney fight based on his experience with Gerry. I wish we knew more about this.

 

Bugner could be a real enigma. I saw him mimic a statue in the second Ali fight and the Jack Bodell bout. I also saw him almost cave-in cooper's body and then simply stop the body shots. He gave a good account of himself in the '73 Ali and Frazier bouts but just ran hot and cold.

 

Bugner had fast hands, particularly for a big man..when he actually let them go, that is.

Weight work earlier in life, before boxing (perhaps even during) might’ve made Joe a bit too muscle bound and more susceptible to arm fatigue in longer fights - but so true, it was a great effort vs Frazier which is an entertaining fight overall also.

Frazier’s best single shot power should never be underestimated - that was a titanic left hook he dropped Bugner with - and we know Bugner had a great beard.

In fact, and excuse the pun, but Frazier kinda let Bugner off the hook - before going down after taking the huge left hook, while still upright, Bugner froze for a second or two - Frazier could’ve easily landed another 1-2 killer punches but considerately held off.

Bad policy though, because later (same round or next?) Bugner damned near put Frazier down with a terrific right cross - another thing re Bugner, when he had a mind for it, he could put some nice steam on his punches.

 

Bugner should have been much more thought of Legacy wise, he had the tools to be the Best HW Britain had ever produced, but yeah he was consistent in his inconsistency lol, but he is still a great fighter and could do justice against any HW's bar the Giants, even many of them he might surprise... after all, I guess with Bugner it is the Surprise you'll get.

 

Bugner would have needed a good start because if he started off slow Cooney would have just kept whacking away till he folded. If Bugner kept out of trouble for the first couple of rounds I think he would have nicked it.

The Frazier - Bugner fight is a good example of what was good - and not so good - about Bugner. For those of you who'd like to see it online, here's a link to my (free) Daily Motion channel:

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Yep, whenever i do an Impression of Bugner, i'm saying this "I go for Cooney...for sheer determination" from that interview (although i thought it was from World of Sport on ITV).

 

Me too!

I think bunger also said something like “I think there is a lot of theatre. When it comes down to it …there will just be two men” and the off camera voice over from Harry carpenter says “well who else”