Would Cooney (Spinks fight) Make It Past 3 Rounds Against Toledo Dempsey?

Interesting scenario. I can picture Dempsey smashing the crap out of Cooney simply because of Cooney’s physical so similarities to Willard. But Cooney was much more skilled than Jess. Dempsey might wobble Cooney but I think Cooney eventually wears Dempsey down. Of course if Cooney lands a big left it’s over. If Dempsey lands a big left or right Cooney takes it well.

 

The Cooney of the Spinks fight?

 

Yes… Dempsey would dispatch that version of Cooney as fast or faster than he did Willard

 

Almost certainly.

 

This, completely.

 

I'd be surprised if Cooney even made it to the 3rd round. He's perfect for Dempsey! (IMHO, of course).

 

I liked how when Jack had Willard hurt he threw from low near his waist out of sight and abandoned his guard so Jess couldn’t see where the shots were coming from. Savvy for a “caveman” he’d exhibit this same demonstration of savvy here in less time.

 

What was the perception of Dempsey when you where in your 20s? How did the world see him stack up to the guys then in boxing circles? I’d also be interested if the common man still talked about Jack.

 

Well I think Dempsey will def. reach Cooney at some point to end or begin to end the fight - until he does, that will constitute the amount of time that Gerry lasts.

Against Willard, when Dempsey landed that huge left hook for the first KD - BUT for Jess’ durability and courage to hang tough, for all intents and purposes, the fight was over.

Not to say that Gerry lacked courage but I don’t think he was as durable as Jess and taking the beating that Willard chose to endure was beyond the realms of courage and practical logic.

If Gerry could somehow remain semi cognisant and get back up I could envisage him indicating enough is enough - much earlier into the beating than that which Jess soaked up.

Particularly the Gerry that fought Spinks as his investment and confident commitment in that fight was diminished as compared to earlier fights in his career.

So, to cut an already long story short, I think Jack lands the definitive shot and then follow up shots inside of 3 rounds, probably cracking Gerry big with his first super hard punch in rounds 1-2 for a very hard KD and IF (a BIG if) Gerry can haul himself back up, a follow up volley will still see Gerry down again almost immediately with the fight over shortly thereafter.

 

Toledo Dempsey beats the breaks off of Cooney, 3 rounds or less. It would be like watching a tiger rip a sick, worn out old buffalo (with only one functioning horn) to pieces. The one horn in this case being Cooney's over reliance on the hook. Although (like the Buffalo) Cooney is much larger and stronger, he would be unable to cope with the vast difference in agility, ferocity, and speed. Cooney's chin and defense already weren't very good to begin with, in the Spinks fight he looked even worse and was crumbling against a relatively light puncher.

I'd even favor Toledo Dempsey over prime Cooney, let alone this drug abusing, inactive Cooney. That version of Dempsey was one of the hungriest, most determined fighters I've ever seen and you'd need to have nerves of steel just to survive.

 

When I was in my twenties (1944-1953), most boxing people I knew thought Jack Dempsey was the best Heavyweight ever! There were a few, influenced by Nat Fleischer, who thought Jack Johnson. And Joe Louis was starting to get into the conversation. I even knew one guy who thought Jeffries was the best.

 

Is Dempsey going to be allowed to stand over Cooney if he goes down and hit him immediately upon rising, even hitting him from behind?

 

Cooney won't be rising