Gerald Arthur Cooney was born on August 24, 1956 in Long Island, New York. Encouraged by his abusive father to box, Gerry became a successful amateur, including winning two New York Golden Gloves titles. His final record was 55-3, before he turned professional on February 15, 1977, where Cooney knocked out a guy named Billy Jackson in one round in Queens, New York.
Gerry would fight six more times in 1977, and win five of those bouts by knockout. With his managers Mike Jones and Dennis Rappaport guiding his career, Cooney was fed a constant string over overmatched opponents, with absolutely no chance of winning. The 6′ 6″ Irish-American would fight eight more times in 1978, and finally face some named fighters. He recorded wins over ST Gordon and Sam McGill, with five of his eight victories coming by knockout.
In Cooney’s sixth of his seven bouts in 1979, he faced his sternest test in John Dino Dennis at Madison Square Garden on November 9th. Gerry easily knocked the veteran out in three rounds, then knocked out Leroy Boone a month later to close the decade out.
By 1980, Cooney was a contender, and faced another over-the-hill veteran in Jimmy Young on May 25, 1980 at Atlantic City Convention Hall. This was the first time I saw Gerry fight live, on CBS, and if nothing else, I was impressed by his size, and punching power. Gerry opened a huge gash over Young’s right eye, and the whole thing was over in the 4th round.
Cooney’s useless managers kept him on ice for another five months, before matching him up with a walking dead man, in 38 year old Ron Lyle. The fight was broadcast on HBO, and Gerry easily disposed of Lyle in one round. Now ranked number one without having ever fought a decent fighter, it proved what slick managers can do with a young fighter’s career, but in this case, ruin it.
Next in line was ancient Ken Norton, who was closer to 40 than the supposed 35 years he claimed. I went to a local bar to see the HBO bout, and it was barely worth the drive. Over in just 54 seconds, Cooney cornered the overmatched Norton, and nearly killed him with an avalanche of blows, thanks to the ineptitude of referee Tony Perez.
After the easy win, it was decided that Cooney was ready for a title shot, with either the WBA champ Mike Weaver, or the WBC champion Larry Holmes. Whatever the outcome, the real fact was that a white heavyweight that could punch, was only good for a fledgling crop of heavyweights that filled the rankings in 1981.
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