How good of a fight could Cooney have given Tyson in 1986?

Well, if Cooney gets his huge left hooks in clean on Tyson right away, he has a shot at discouraging Tyson, but I doubt he'd get them in, as he didn't have a good jaw, or survival skills.

 

:good

 

Cooney was one of my favorite fighters when I was first really getting into boxing, but he would have been cannon fodder for Tyson in '86. If he made it past the third, I'd be surprised.

 

Tyson would chop him down in no time. Anywhere from 35 seconds to 3 rounds for me.

 

For once i have to agree with you.

I think Cooney had very little durability. Just that it was hidden by the fact that he rarely faced a puncher who was anywhere close to his prime. Tyson would annihilate him.

 

Cooney mentally would not of been able to cope. He in theory had the physical tools to compete, but Cooney was with hindsight (I thought he would give Spinks hell ), a lost cause post Holmes.

 

Tyson would get a good workout for his next fight.

 

Tyson wins this probably early Cooney has neither the style or Chin to beat Tyson.

I see Cooney lasting 5 rounds at best.

 

Cooney was shot after the Holmes fight so he would be easy meat for Tyson in 86 just like he was for Spinks. Cooney and Tyson both threw away their best years.

 

Cooney would largely beat himself before he got into the ring. I do not like his chances all that much. '86 Tyson KO 2 '86 Gerry Cooney.

 

I agree 100% with this. Cooney could have landed some decent shots against Tyson, but I highly doubt he'd last too long after getting tagged by Tyson's left hook.

Cooney against Spinks I'd easily assume Cooney coming out on top, but Spinks really but that thought to death.

Second Opinion (It just came to me): If Cooney had come in ready for the fight like against Holmes, then he'd have a much greater chance. But would Cooney have been able to get himself that psyched up again? That's the thin line that would make that fight go from a possible Tyson domination to a real slugfest. I'd still say a young Tyson would come out on top.

Now if we start placing certain version's of each fighter against each other, I'd say:

1981 Cooney Vs. 1988 Tyson - This would be the battle to watch.
Winner: Tyson possibly by late match KO, and maybe...just maybe...Cooney would be able to do some serious damage to Tyson.

1986 Cooney Vs. 1986 Tyson - I'd say this one a young Tyson still does damage. This version of Cooney appeared beatable.

1981 Cooney Vs. 1990 Tyson (The Buster Douglas version) - This would be Cooney's best chance to win. Nearly any great contender could lay claim to this version. I can't really call this one. I want to say Cooney, but I'm unsure.

1990 Cooney Vs. 1988 Tyson - This would be a huge blow out. Tyson victory.

 

The thing here to is that Holmes took the sensible super cautious route vs Cooney. He had him possibly ready to go early but remained cautious, if he let loose she might be goodnight. Holmes may have made Cooney look better by simply giving him plenty of time to compete. It's reasonable that Holmes might have taken Cooney out easily

 

Even with his size, I think Cooney would be a little terrified.

Tyson would get inside and knock him out.