I went with Baer. Cooney wasn’t as bad as people are making him out to be and nor do I think he’d get beaten as easily as some surmise. He actually had decent boxing skills and immense power himself. But his chin would most likely fail him in this one.
Cooney could box. Baer had no idea what the term meant. Both had big power but Cooney didn't need to throw from another time zone to get his pop. Cooney KO4
Cooney had a very good offensive arsenal with dangerous power. I think he busts up Baer and probably gets mid or late TKO. Baer has the big punch and especially if he catches him on the temple Cooney was vulnerable there. Cooneys got better skills is bigger and has equal power. I’m going Cooney.
As others have said Cooney was a sucker for the right hand and couldn't get out of the way of it in Holmes, Spinks, or Foreman fights. Cooney despite being a great inside fighter also had no clue how to clinch or hold when hurt which is a huge part of Heavyweight boxing. I could see Cooney having some early success and then fading. Baer could punch. I also think just like in all his big fights Cooney would self sabotage himself in some way regardless and find a way to lose.
Max's lapse in concentration loses the fight for him. Cooney wins by ko somewhere between the 10th - 12 th.
Gerry caves Max’s ribs in. Early KO — Max outlasts Norton but doesn’t stay around as long as Jimmy Young.
This is rich. Baer was a sucker for literally every punch in the book. The guy got offended if you missed him ffs! It didn't take a Holmes, Spinks, or Foreman to land with any degree of accuracy either.
