A re-upload with fixes.
A look back at “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney…One of the most controversial fighters of the 1980s, he fought Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks & George Foreman.
George Foreman-Gerry Cooney Footage Courtesy of WSC-Sports.
36 Comments
It's a pity GC had so many issues. His legacy would have been even greater. In spite of his drinking issues, he was a really good boxer/ puncher, not a great wht hope. Who said so? Almost everyone he fought. Larry H said after the fight JC was much better than I thought, and He hurt me in the fight GC did not realize it. George F said GC was top 3 as far as the hardest hitters he faced. GF said when GC hit him, it rattled his feet, and he thought he made a big mistake taking this fight.
COONEY was a stumblebum and he sucked.
Gerrymandering Cooney was good
Irish Guilt… it haunts you…
Based on how Cooney throws his upper cut its very likely that it was Cooneys elbow that cut Jim Young.
He had a chance to be great, his handlers rushed him strictly because of the payday. During his fight with Larry Holmes at the Palace. During his fight with Holmes, both fighters trained there, the public was invited to show up and watch the training for both fighters for free, I found it absolutely fascinating.
Wonderful story
Gerry father was a real scumbag piece of garbage
I always thought he was brought up too fast against the real sharks in the water, or fought too many bums on the way up. I remember the time and the fighters out there. I watched Cooney and did not think he was ready, or more accurately was not sure what he had to offer. I didn't like his defense. There wasn't a lot of head movement or instinct to not be hit. He needed more seasoning in the footwork, and in fight strategy from the fighters viewpoint. Get in, get out, move, circle, jab. Mostly he just moved forward or stood there and stepped forward on the attack. No way he can fight going backwards or even cover up properly. Step back and circle. Step back and circle. Circle then circle back the other way. Not straight backwards. It was a tough time. I really liked Cooney and hoped the best for him. I just thought he should spend more time fighting the second tier guys. Mind you he got the big paydays and that's good.
Cooney was pretty good, and he was deceptively strong. When he was young, he looked like a young race horse. Sleek and wiry, similar to Ali when he was a young guy. If he had a better technique and sturdier chin, who knows what he might have been in the heavyweight division. They downgrade him with that great white hope nonsense. Like I said, he had some of the qualities that would have made him a pretty good champion. But he lacked a lot more, and no one can give you a better chin either. You have one, or you don't. And as for his father, some men are stupid that way. They think that it's a sign of weakness to show affection to their children, especially their male children. And I feel that it's the opposite it's stupid not to show affection to your son. And not the kinda of affection that Will Smith lavishes on his sons. Kissing them in the mouth when they clearly cringingly are rejecting the act. No, I mean a hug, a smiling face, and a sense of camaraderie between the two of you. And can also show them your silly side from time to time, and there is nothing at all wrong with the occasional kiss on the cheek. That does not lessen your manhood or the necessity to be authoritative when need be either. However, Jerry's pop's was a drunk, and a lot of those old school guys grew up in dysfunctional homes, and that's all they know.
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I cannot express how much I appreciate your work. The production value, the facts, the amount of research and editing. Just amazing! And the stories behind these athletes are so inspiring. At 51 years old I'm finding new and true inspiration. Thank you.
Holmes got Cooney at right time and the readon he lost is becuz he held back which he never did before Holmes he was confused to How to fight he hadnt we t alot of rounds kn a fight and he didnt want to spend himself himself early and that would ve been his best bet
George Forman honored Cooney as one of the hardest punchers he's ever been hit by. You've earned my sub Sir. I'm honored to watch your amazing content.
Wow brilliant. Such wonderfull insight. Cant wait to see more of these!
So sad what an evil sadistic upbringing can do to a humans psyche and soul. Cooney was a great fighter and I think he would destroy Tyson Fury and all the other current heavyweights.
Rich. You’re the best. Greetings from Argentina!
51:27 brain damage
Couldve been better with good management. But terrific anyway
All due respect but if Cooney caught Young 5 years earlier he would have lost, Lyle and he would have been a war and Norton would have beaten him, all three were 5-7 years past theirs prime and Very smartly picked for Cooney
I became hardcore Dennis rapoaport coneys manager was friends and a client of my dads friend I saw all of his early fights I watched him lose to Holmes in 1972 in Huntington on closed circuit tv and cried all the way home after he lost one of my first heroes still love him
1982
Unfortunate the prejudice some people had and have due to Gerry's color. Guy is a legend.
Norton didn't do to well , or Lyle . They were all the same age . 😄😁😆😂🤣
I have met Conney at fights many years ago. You do not know how big a man is before you meet him.
I’m confused how long was Cooney Champion cause I missed that part Ang Dundee was right a whole lot hype, Cooney was the great white hope beating up old men and has beens converted southpaw all he had was a big awkward frame and a left hook plus low blows, he went where he belonged in boxing nowhere!
I think that the greatest obstacle that Cooney faced was himself. He seemed to shut down during championship fights as you see that he didn't fight back as much when he fought Holmes and Sphinx. I'm glad he found happiness though and it can't be denied that he was a great boxer and a smart one too as he was trying to pursue an acting career at the time to avoid further damage.
Randy Sandy, the ref at 4:56, was a multiple Golden Gloves Champ himself.
If you’ve done any boxing some people just have incredible power
Hello Jerry Cooney, I wish hope and pray that everything is ok with you and your family and friends ! I wish the best for you and your family and friends all the best in the present times and all of the futures times to come there of amen! ! Jerry Cooney may the forces of good shine down apon all of you family and friends to help you all in all of your lives amen ! Take care and peace out my friend! Oh by the way I wish you all a wonderful and happy New Year ! Take care and peace out ! 🔴⚪⚫😀🕒🕒🐶🐱🦋☮️☯️🔺⭐3️⃣🦅🇺🇸🇵🇷🌎
Funny how got criticized for beating up on Lyle and Norton. Then another 70s guy named Foreman absolutely destroys him.
man could hit REALLY REALLY hard man. you could see it and hear it. foreman himself said he was the hardest hitting.
decent boxer, great puncher,
but a bit too many low blows. mediocre to average defense. great power.
Great docu.
Cooney is a true gent & was legit in the ring. Larry is top 5 possibly top 3 of all time in my book.
Its a beautiful thing that theyre such great friends today after all the racist press coverage of the fight.
Cheers from England
Holms was one of the great fighters
Larry holmes said cooney "Punched much harder " than mike tyson. he said that tyson was a quicker puncher-but that cooney hit "much harder"-holmes actual words. he said only Earnie shavers punched harder than cooney. george foreman also says cooney was one of the two hardest punchers he ever shared a ring with. the other being Ron Lyle.
He could have been more, as a boxer. Sometimes are biggest foes are ourselves. He was something to watch…..