Gerry Cooney was a good fighter who got his chance because Holmes had beaten everyone else.
In their fight his tactics were all wrong. Like Frank Bruno, Gerry was was far more dangerous early on.
I vaguely remember something about him being told that Holmes' legs would go later on. Holmes of course had amongst the best legs in heavyweight history.
Different fighters react differently to a defeat (a lot can depend on how they're managed subsequently), Gerry didn't take it too well.
As far as I'm concerned, Tommy Hearns was the greatest don't blink' fighter with Mike Tyson following close behind. Blinding handspeed and power combined with an exciting open style resulted in terrific fights. This Juan Roldan one epitomises everything about Hearns.