In 1987, Michael Spinks relinquished his IBF title by passing up a mandatory to take a bigger payday against Gerry Cooney. Of course, we all know what happened. Spinks dominated the match and ended it quick. What we should discuss however, is that Cooney's activity leading up to the fight was hardly that of a solid contender. He had only fought 3 times in 5 years, against mostly mediocre opposition, and his last match came over a year before the Spinks meeting. Additionally, he apparently had a drinking problem and had spent much of the previous 5 years doing little in the way of productivity, while Spinks plowed through the lightheavy ranks, and eventually captured the heavyweight title.. Come fight night, he showed up at a career high 238 lbs, and hardly showed a lick of interest. Now, what if this was Cooney from say 1980-1982, who was an undefeated and highly marketed heavyweight contender? The man who dispatched past prime, yet still active versions of Lyle, Young, and Norton, then fought a prime Larry Holmes at a trim 225 lbs, and gave him 13 good rounds? Could Cooney have at least taken Spinks the distance, or perhaps even gotten to him with some big shots to score a knockout?
Cooney could've possibly knocked out Spinks, but knowing Michael, he always has a plan, and Gerry wouldn't have been keen to it.
