Gerry Cooney vs the Heavyweight champs.

Cooney is a bit of a mystery. He didn't fight enough, if any, (outside of Holmes of course) prime contenders to properly gage his abilities. He did look impressive against Holmes putting up a competitive fight for 13 rounds. He also looked good against Jimmy Young who contrary to many, was not washed up. As Gil Clancy noted during the fight Young was in tremendous shape and following his defeat against Cooney, he reeled off 5 consecutive wins and won The Ring comeback fighter of the year award.
Lyle and Norton were shot, but he still got both out in one round which is impressive result. After Holmes, Cooney basically did nothing. Drug and alcohol abuse ruined him and he looked like crap against Spinks.
He was a one armed fighter with a devasting lead left hook. He did most of his damage to the body with it, his jab was good and his right was above average to the body only. Otherwise it was below avg. For such a large man he was physically weak for his size and could be forced back.
His power punching and size alone would enable him to beat some of the champs from past years. The night he lost to Holmes he was a Very Good Contender.

 

Definitely John L Sullivan, James J Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Tommy Burns, Marvin Hart, Jess Willard, James Braddock, Ingemar Johansson, Primo Carnera, Shannon Briggs, Leon Spinks

 

Hard to say, i think he kinda lost his heart for the sport after his devastating loss to Holmes, he took too many long layoffs, and after he was beaten to a pulp by Spinks and Foreman in 1990 the curtain came down, and he was only 33, an age that is still considered relatively young even by boxing standards for a heavyweight....

He should have came back in 1983, and tried to get Weaver and or Dokes in the ring, 2 guy's he would have done better against than Holmes, but no easy fights, i would have made him 50-50 against Dokes, and probably the same with Weaver.

 

I may also throw in Floyd Patterson in there. While Floyd was quick and skilled, the size advantage for Cooney might have negated a lot of his best attributes. Couple Gerry's power and early round tenacity with Floyd's shaky chin and tendency to get decked, it might prove to be a short evening.

 

I thought about that Maghoo...except Michael Spinks annihilated Cooney. Floyds leaping left hook(The perfect punch for giant) would land, and send cooney into la la land. Floyds lightning fast combos would slice cooney up till the referee stops the fight. Then again, you could be right. Cooney had a mean uppercut, it might take out Floyd early. Cooney was a savage finisher too.

 

Gerry Cooney would kill 165lb Fitzsimmons in 1 round.

 

Logically only the smaller champs from days long ago who he could monster with his size advantage.

 

I watched most of Gerry's fights in N.Y. and watched him as a 6'5 southpaw middleweight 5-0 5ko's KO an average size middleweight who was 5-0, then i saw him get stopped as a light-heavyweight by Johnny or Eddie Davis.

Gerry had one of the best left hooks to the body and head that i have ever seen and it rate right there or better than Joe Frazier's. Thing is Gerry was never prepared for fighting more than 8 rds when he was matched with Holmes and Larry knew it, Gerry had only went 1rd 2 x in 2+ years and while his hook was golden he had no right hand and was a frail guy still he had a punchers chance over anyone and may have been champ if he did not fight a guy who knew the drill and the stamina facts and the deep water method....Cooney was frail but his hook was solid enough to KO anyone if it got there before the offense took its toll

 

One of the most over rated fighters on here...blew out a shot Norton...was managed well to get the big payday...did zero afterwards.

 

Good points. But Michael Spinks fought Cooney after Gerry had seen only one round of boxing action in three years and was off for 12 months prior. Watching that fight over again on a few occasions, Cooney looked to be in horrible shape both physically and psychologically. Then I watch youtube clips of him against Jimmy Young, Dino Dennis, and Holmes, he was an entirely different man from every aspect. Drugs, alcohol, inactivity and lack of consistent training will do that to you.. Also Michael Spinks despite being a former light heavy was at least 6'2", 208 Lbs,had never been decked in a fight, and was coming off of back to back 15 rounders with Holmes. I just don't see how that comparison helps Floyd's case.

 

Cooney vs Moorer would be something. Toss up, somebody is getting knocked out.

Probably takes out Leon Spinks as well.

I may lean towards Carnera and Ingo, but don't give him a shot against any other post-Dempesy Champ. Even Sharkey would probably beat him. We know Old Foreman beats him.

 

He might take Hart.

 

Think he'd take Ellis too, though he wasn't really considered lineal.

 

Hard to pick him over any of them realy.

What was his best win?