Cooneys resume going into the Holmes fight is underrated

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Pugilist_Spec, Nov 19, 2016.


  1. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    Many people say that Cooney got a title shot based on his popularity and media image, and that he didn't fight through the rankings like his other contemporaries. I think that couldn't be further away from the truth.

    He beat guys like Eddie Lopez and Dino Dennis early in his career, who had distinguished themselves as fringe contenders and decent scalps. Denis had 35 wins and only 2 losses, one to Foreman. Even these 2 wins alone make his resume more impressive than some of the other challengers in the 80s.

    Then he beat Lyle, Young and Norton who were major names and the top dogs of the division a few years earlier. Now I understand that they had seen better days, especially Lyle and Norton, but they were still around in the division. Young had won the comeback of the year away. Beating all 3 of these guys, over the hill or not, greatly enchanced his resume, if only in terms of name value.

    Did guys like Dokes or Weaver, let alone some of the lesser challengers do more going into their first title fight?

    Discuss.
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Nov 19, 2016
    Pugilist_Spec, Nov 19, 2016
    #1
  2. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    Move to the classic section please.
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Nov 19, 2016
    Pugilist_Spec, Nov 19, 2016
    #2
    Rumsfeld likes this.
  3. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
    Rumsfeld, Nov 19, 2016
    Rumsfeld, Nov 19, 2016
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  4. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was greatly benefited by his pigmentation - he got a huge following live and for Network TV - similar to Ray Mancini, without beating high level competition.

    Ron Lyle was shot, having been stopped in 2 by Lynn ball before Cooney got to him.
    Norton was way past it, having been stopped in 2 by Shavers and barely edging mediocre Tex Cobb.

    Young had been beaten by Ocasio and Dokes
    Cooney also had great managers who guided him masterfully.

    In short, he was coddled and never maximized his potential - his management opting to guide him to the big $$ of a shot at Holmes with miminal risk in getting there.

    Yes, Dokes beat a slightly better level of comp to get his shot since he beat Ocasio who beat Young, who then lost to Cooney.

    Young was the best guy Cooney fought en route to his shot at Holmes

    No, Weaver didn't have a harder road as far as quality wins to get a title shot. His best win was a decision over Leroy Jones. Weaver was seen as an easy, undeserving mark for Holmes.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2016
    Saad54, Nov 19, 2016
    Saad54, Nov 19, 2016
    #4
  5. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cooney's management only objective was to find the path of least resistance to a multimillion dollar championship payday. Lyle, Young and Norton were on their last legs. The rest such as Dennis were never decent hwts even in their prime. Cooney's first real live body, Holmes, knocked him down with his first solid punch and then knocked him out. Cooney's second live body, Spinks, knocked him out. Bottom line Cooney was a hard left hooker with no defense and poor durability.
     
    Perry, Nov 19, 2016
    Perry, Nov 19, 2016
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  6. Zakman

    Zakman ESB's Chinchecker Full Member

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    I think Cooney was ill-served by his managment, who rushed him into the Holmes fight. IMO, he should have fought Weaver first, who I would have favored him against. This fight was being talked about at the time, but as others have said, his managers kept him on the shelf, waiting to get the cash-out fight against Holmes.

    Too bad, because managed better, I think Cooney could have achieved more in the sport.
     
    Zakman, Nov 19, 2016
    Zakman, Nov 19, 2016
    #6