Sparring sessions with * Earnie Shavers ($165 / week) * Jeff Merritt ($200 / week) * Muhammad Ali ($300 / week) * Joe Frazier ($375 / week)
Cooney was his best opponent because he was not yet beaten and had status as a puncher with his KO's over Norton,Lyle and Young but most knew he never went past 8rds in a fight and was lacking confidence....I think Cooney would have been better served had he fought a durable Tex Cobb (punching bag type of guy to increase his stamina confidence but that also back-fired against Vlad vs Purrity Next best opponent Holmes fought was Norton, Shaver had a name but had already lost to most of the contenders he fought so it was a safe fight for the most part.
Norton-Was not as close as people say...He was easily winning but Norton came back strong the last 4-5 rounds but it was a great fight Shavers I Cooney and...Mercer he beat him like a stepchild at 42! Honorable mentions: MCall-gave him problems and was within one card of winning another world title Cobb-gave him a beatdown so bad Cossell stopping commentating boxing! Spinks-Beat the "Neon" outta Leon:deal