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

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Woddy, Nov 14, 2007.


Page 2 of 3
  1. Woddy

    Woddy Guest

    True, the fact that Holmes decked Cooney in the second round was a telltale sign that Gerry's balance and durability were highly in question, especially considering that Holmes was no banger, and at the age of 32 may very well have been past his prime.

    Stylistically though, Cooney may have been a small threat to Tyson at his best ( but not in 1986 ). Tyson was not 6'3 the way that Holmes was, and in fact would have stood a full 8 inches shorter than Cooney. He would not have had the luxury of picking Cooney apart from a distance, nor benefited from facing an inactive Cooney, who's confidence was torn from years of drinking and stewing over the Holmes loss, the way that Spinks and Foreman had. Tyson also fought at a lower center of gravity, and when moving in, may have been subjected to getting tagged with some of those hooks and uppercuts that Cooney threw. If the timing was right, and Tyson walked into a very powerful Cooney left, he might have been put into jeopardy. I can think of another tall fella with a pretty solid left hook/uppercut that gave Tyson trouble, who's name was Razor Ruddock. Remember, this would not be about who the better fighter actually was, but an issue of styles and physical differences.

    Nevertheless, Tyson should be heavily favored to destroy Cooney, but in the unlikely event that Gerry showed up with the balls to wage war, he might have given Mike some problems, at least at his best.
     
    Woddy, Nov 17, 2007
    Woddy, Nov 17, 2007
    #16
  2. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,314
    499
    Jan 28, 2007
    I agree. Larry was very cautious early on because he knew that Cooney had a left hook from hell, and knew and stated that Cooney had dynamite behind each and every punch, even the jab. I don't think Tyson would be cautious, and would just come flying out as usual, although he would probably get tagged with a nasty left hook here or there, but other than that it would be all him.
     
    Bill1234, Nov 17, 2007
    Bill1234, Nov 17, 2007
    #17
  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    52,849
    44,557
    Apr 27, 2005
    He might smother Cooney's hook i think and stuff his timing. KO1 would not surprise whatsoever.
     
    JohnThomas1, Nov 17, 2007
    JohnThomas1, Nov 17, 2007
    #18
  4. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

    15,217
    170
    Jul 23, 2004
    Cooney would be made to order for Tyson.
     
    Robbi, Nov 17, 2007
    Robbi, Nov 17, 2007
    #19
    Bronze Tiger likes this.
  5. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,314
    499
    Jan 28, 2007
    It wouldn't surprise me either, but I think he might get a hook in to the body due to his size.
     
    Bill1234, Nov 18, 2007
    Bill1234, Nov 18, 2007
    #20
  6. radianttwilight

    radianttwilight Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,539
    18
    May 5, 2007
    Cooney being 6'7 is actually an advantage for Tyson, who would destroy him via the body.

    Factor in Cooney's lack of durability and this makes for an easy night for Mike.

    Razor Ruddock was ten times as durable as Cooney, and he still lost both fights with an older Tyson.
     
    radianttwilight, Nov 18, 2007
    radianttwilight, Nov 18, 2007
    #21
  7. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,314
    499
    Jan 28, 2007
    The one was a BS stoppage though, but I know what your getting at.
     
    Bill1234, Nov 18, 2007
    Bill1234, Nov 18, 2007
    #22
  8. biglads

    biglads Climbing the WBO Rankings Full Member

    1,780
    67
    Aug 30, 2007
    I don't see this as much of a contest. Tyson by early KO, might be a bit of a Carl Williams night.
     
    biglads, Nov 18, 2007
    biglads, Nov 18, 2007
    #23
  9. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

    38,042
    7,559
    Jul 28, 2004
    The chink in Gerry's armor would surface against Tyson, who would administer a frightful, one way beat down, and crush Gerry in 4 or 5. There would be several knockdowns against Cooney, but Tyson would have taken everything from Gerry very well. Tyson was on top of the world back then, and Gerry Cooney would have had no chance. Tyson would have enjoyed this one because of all the ballyhoo about Gerry before the fight.
     
    red cobra, Nov 18, 2007
    red cobra, Nov 18, 2007
    #24
  10. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,691
    2,566
    Oct 18, 2004
    Tyson would kayo Cooney in 2. Gerry didn't have the mindset, or ability to deal with Mike.
     
    Titan1, Dec 5, 2018
    Titan1, Dec 5, 2018
    #25
  11. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,832
    6,601
    Dec 10, 2014
    Tyson KO 1 Cooney
     
    Saad54, Dec 5, 2018
    Saad54, Dec 5, 2018
    #26
    Unforgiven and Reinhardt like this.
  12. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

    13,984
    19,026
    Oct 4, 2016
    When I saw Holmes drop Cooney with a half azz right hand I knew then he didn't have it.
     
    Reinhardt, Dec 6, 2018
    Reinhardt, Dec 6, 2018
    #27
  13. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

    13,984
    19,026
    Oct 4, 2016

    Boy I agree with this, I thought Larry could have taken him out much earlier if he had wanted to instead of just beating him up.
     
    Reinhardt, Dec 6, 2018
    Reinhardt, Dec 6, 2018
    #28
    JohnThomas1 likes this.
  14. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

    58,748
    21,578
    Nov 24, 2005
    It's a one round fight.

    Slim's just left town, Gerry.
     
    Unforgiven, Dec 6, 2018
    Unforgiven, Dec 6, 2018
    #29
    young griffo likes this.
  15. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,063
    11,263
    Aug 16, 2018
    Cooney couldn't deal with the combination of hand speed and power of a prime Tyson.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Dec 6, 2018
    AwardedSteak863, Dec 6, 2018
    #30
Page 2 of 3