This is the next in my blog series ‘Great Vegas Fights’. This blog is about Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney, which took place on June 11, 1982 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
Larry Holmes had been champion for four years since winning the title from Ken Norton on June 9, 1978. Gerry Cooney had come to the limelight in 1980 because of his punching power, but his wins were over fighters like Jimmy Young and Ron Lyle, who were way past their prime. After his 54 second destruction of 35 year old Ken Norton (who some say was closer to 40) on May 11, 1981, Cooney was made the number one heavyweight contender. The fact that he was white didn’t help with getting him publicity, and a bout with Holmes was pursued by Cooney’s wacko twin managers, Dennis Rappaport and Mike Jones.
Cooney was protected by his managers, who didn’t let him fight any top contenders as they slickly got him a title shot at Holmes. Originally set for February of 1982, it was finally agreed for June 11, 1982.
I personally gave Cooney no shot at all in winning the fight. When I made the 5 mile drive to the Voorhees Coliseum, who that had turned their tennis courts into a closed-circuit theatre, I was excited to get a chance to see Larry Holmes beat Cooney, and get the respect that he was still lacking from the public.
Howard Cosell was the lone voice of the closed-circuit show, and actually did a good job that night. One of the greatest injustices I have ever seen is when they introduced Holmes first, and Cooney last, the honor always left to the reigning champion.
It wasn’t long before the champ showed his superiority by dropping Gerry with a sharp right hand in the second round. Larry mostly boxed from the outside, and Cooney was aggressive, landing occasion hard left hooks and jabs, making it a competitive bout. He also hit Holmes below the belt hard on several occasions, and by the 9th round, was starting to wilt, as Holmes took command. Finally, in the 13th round, Cooney fell to the canvas after Larry battered him senseless, and it was all over. Larry was still the champion, and deservedly so.
After the fight, Cooney cried and apologized to the fans he let down. Although he had performed well, I was right in my opinion of him, and time would prove me right over and over again. He retired for 2 and a half years, won two easy bouts, then disappeared again. Cooney just didn’t have the heart of a champion, and retired for good in January of 1990 after getting knocked out in two rounds by George Foreman.
Larry Holmes finally started to get the respect he deserved after knocking Cooney out, and would remain the heavyweight champion for 7 and 1/2 years, while making 20 title defenses, one of the greatest accomplishments in heavyweight boxing history.
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