Holmes vs Cooney - 43 years ago today, June 11, 1982 - Gather 'round.

The reason he didn’t bounce back wasn’t management, it was Cooney’s demons. He went into a terrible depression after the Holmes loss, blaming himself for letting everyone down, and crawled inside a bottle and vacuumed up cocaine.

No one can manage someone else’s addiction. A great boxing manager can’t say ‘go to this rehab and heal yourself’ and make that happen until the addict/alcoholic is ready for it — you can’t will it for someone else.

If Cooney had avoided substance abuse (few 1980s heavyweights did) or had embraced recovery earlier, he might could have made something more of his career.

Gerry has said that one of the roots of his friendship with Larry after their fight is that Holmes would call him to check up on him, encourage him, tell him to get back in the gym, etc. Larry cared, even though up to that point they really only knew each other through their rounds in the ring that night and going through an ugly promotion on opposite sides. Holmes’ outreach is where they began to know each other and connect as human beings.

From all I know, he turned his life around and is healthy, happy and living well. Good for Cooney. That matters a lot more than ‘boxing legacy.’

 

Remember Greg Page blowing it, that's for sure.