Gerry Cooney vs. Tommy Morrison

[Grimm]

Two hard punching "great white hypes" with weak chins. No way in hell this fight goes the distance, but who wins and how?

[Jaclem]

...two phonies...but morrison was faster and i think he would have gotten off first and therefore scored a kayo.

[bollox]

"Speed" was the first thing to come to mind here also. Morrison by KO mid rounds, unless Cooney lands the left hook

[Tantum]

Cooney was bigger, stronger, and tougher.

Morrison was faster and more skilled.

I suppose it would have been a good fight if they could have met at their peaks.

[Jaclem]

..tantum....the problem here is just when were their peaks?

[BoxBuzz]

I thought just the opposite of Jaclem at first, but having respect for Jaclem's opinions in this area I watched some "prime" Cooney and Morrison and came to the same conclusion that Jaclem did.

Wasnt my gut instinct though. They had Foreman in common not sure if they had any other common opponents.

[tiredoldngrey]

The first couple rounds would be brisk to say the least...then it could become a battle of Morrisson's big fight jitters/exhaustion and Cooney's I hit him and he hit me back nueroses...My pick Cooney by KO and one on par w/Morrison vs Mercer before 3, probably in 1, early in 2.

[Jaclem]

thanks for the vote of confidence, buzzyboy. i don't know of anyone other than foreman whom they both fought. the way those two fights contrast is interesting, and may be informative. morrisson went into a different style against foreman...circling arond and boxing and foreman couldn't do anything with him. cooney fought his usual straight up style, and though he was kayoed foreman said that if cooney had known how much he hurt him with a punch he would have come after foreman more aggressively....and "I would have been in trouble."

if morrison would use a little more movement against cooney, while still going on the attack, i think he'd win by a kayo,as i wrote earlier. in addition to being faster morrison had a lot of power in his long overhaand shots, which he'd have to use against the taller cooney.

[barry]

If Morrison wasn't able to land anything early then pretty much the first solid punch Cooney landed would have dropped Morrison, whether he could have gotten back up to win would be the problem...Morrison had one of the weakest chins that I can recall seeing on a quality heavyweight, which is why I think Cooney would outlast him in a relatively short fight, unless Morrison landed one of his powerful left hooks early...that's my opinion.

[BoxBuzz]

Here's something I found down in the 2005 files.

Wondered if todays opinionators would feel the same.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Morrison by KO 7 or 8 out of 10 times. They could both bang, Tommy was more technical, a lot faster and he had more heart.

[Rover]

Morrison by KO 7 or 8 out of 10 times. They could both bang, Tommy was more technical, a lot faster and he had more heart.

x2

[gilgamesh]

I think Tommy would outbox Gerry and stop him in the mid-rounds, Gerry would have a puncher's chance early in the bout, but I think Tommy would tough his way through Gerry's crude attack and survive some shaky moments to get the win.

[HomicideHenry]

Here's my thoughts, for what they are worth....

For Cooney having got to the top of the division despite having only fought three names (faded, old names in Norton, Young and Lyle) he had the ability to of beaten more prime guys like Weaver, Tate, and Coetzee. I think had he of taken a few more steps in his career, he would have been alot better than simply being regarded as a 'white hope'. Cooney for being 6'7" and 230 pounds, and essentially being a one handed fighter through and through, was awfully quick in throwing his left hook. That is what always surprised me with Cooney, that for his size he could whip lefts to the body and then to the head with the kind of speed you wouldn't have thought he would of had. His chin was certainly tougher than given credit for, and his heart was the size of an elephant.

That being said, Tommy Morrison could box, as evident in his fight with George Foreman. But that kind of 'ability' came few and far between. His left hook, like Cooney's, could vaporise anyone it landed on. Like Cooney, he was rushed to the top too soon. Unlike Cooney, though, he was blasted out in devestating fashion to Ray Mercer, who despite his WBO strap was not THE MAN of the division; Cooney, with far less ability than Morrison went thirteen competitive rounds with Holmes, who was THE MAN of his time. The real big problem with Morrison was he had a prima dona mentality, he would win an important fight and then in the next few goes either get blown away or look like dog shit. Gerry Cooney was inconsistant following Holmes, but that was due to inactivity. Morrison was inconsistant because he didn't have the mental makeup to make a true blue heavyweight prizefighter.

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

[keithmoonhangover]

Prime for Prime there's no question in my mind.... Cooney by KO.

Morrison was terrible after the 5th round in most fights, Cooney was a much bigger hitter and I'd say he had a slightly better chin than Morrison. IMHO

[SaadOffTheDeck]

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison always showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.

Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

[HomicideHenry]

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison always showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.

Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

Williams was older than dirt, Hipp was very limited, and who the heck is Zolkin? (Yes that was sarcasm). While you're at it, throw in Pinklon Thomas and Ross Purrity, who was robbed blind with that bogus draw against Morrison. As for Gerry.... the Holmes fight says it all.

[polecateddy]

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison always showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.

Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

Williams was older than dirt, Hipp was very limited, and who the heck is Zolkin? (Yes that was sarcasm). While you're at it, throw in Pinklon Thomas and Ross Purrity, who was robbed blind with that bogus draw against Morrison. As for Gerry.... the Holmes fight says it all.

And err Morrison never fought Zolkin.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison always showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.

Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

Williams was older than dirt, Hipp was very limited, and who the heck is Zolkin? (Yes that was sarcasm). While you're at it, throw in Pinklon Thomas and Ross Purrity, who was robbed blind with that bogus draw against Morrison. As for Gerry.... the Holmes fight says it all.

Gerry didn't come back and win the Holmes fight, my retarded little buddy. He never came back from adversity to win a fight in his entire career. It was your point, don't get upset because I offered more examples.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison always showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.

Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

Williams was older than dirt, Hipp was very limited, and who the heck is Zolkin? (Yes that was sarcasm). While you're at it, throw in Pinklon Thomas and Ross Purrity, who was robbed blind with that bogus draw against Morrison. As for Gerry.... the Holmes fight says it all.

And err Morrison never fought Zolkin.

Then it was Vaulin, I always mix those guys up.

[keithmoonhangover]

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

I totally agree with what may be the deciding factor in the fight and Morrison

always

showed resolve where as Gerry crumbled when things didn't go his way. If you're looking for more examples of Tommy overcoming adversity to win you should watch Morrison versus Carl The Truth Williams, that was an awesome brawl, Joe Hipp too. Zolkin was Boxing his ears off.



Sadly, Gerry never did it. So in spite of your assertion that he would, I can't point to any video to substantiate it.

If he 'always' showed resolve, what happened against Michael Bentt?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

He got his ass whipped. Same as Lennox Lewis, it's not like he stopped trying. You can't possibly agree that Cooney is the fighter among these two that is more proven when it comes to rallying off the canvas? He's the only one that has ever done it.

[HomicideHenry]

He got his ass whipped. Same as Lennox Lewis, it's not like he stopped trying. You can't possibly agree that Cooney is the fighter among these two that is more proven when it comes to rallying off the canvas? He's the only one that has ever done it.

Gerry fought back harder after getting knocked down against Holmes. That's resolve, even if he did eventually lose.

[Rover]

Here's my thoughts, for what they are worth....

For Cooney having got to the top of the division despite having only fought three names (faded, old names in Norton, Young and Lyle) he had the ability to of beaten more prime guys like Weaver, Tate, and Coetzee. I think had he of taken a few more steps in his career, he would have been alot better than simply being regarded as a 'white hope'. Cooney for being 6'7" and 230 pounds, and essentially being a one handed fighter through and through, was awfully quick in throwing his left hook. That is what always surprised me with Cooney, that for his size he could whip lefts to the body and then to the head with the kind of speed you wouldn't have thought he would of had. His chin was certainly tougher than given credit for, and his heart was the size of an elephant.

That being said, Tommy Morrison could box, as evident in his fight with George Foreman. But that kind of 'ability' came few and far between. His left hook, like Cooney's, could vaporise anyone it landed on. Like Cooney, he was rushed to the top too soon. Unlike Cooney, though, he was blasted out in devestating fashion to Ray Mercer, who despite his WBO strap was not THE MAN of the division; Cooney, with far less ability than Morrison went thirteen competitive rounds with Holmes, who was THE MAN of his time. The real big problem with Morrison was he had a prima dona mentality, he would win an important fight and then in the next few goes either get blown away or look like dog shit. Gerry Cooney was inconsistant following Holmes, but that was due to inactivity. Morrison was inconsistant because he didn't have the mental makeup to make a true blue heavyweight prizefighter.

IMHO, it comes down to mental makeup. Cooney fought harder in defeat. Morrison often times had no answer to being bum rushed and swarmed. If Cooney got hurt, he would come back harder than before, and outside of the Ruddock fight we never saw Morrison give it his all 100% to get off the canvas and come back to win. I think in the end, we see a wildly entertaining brawl, in which Morrison gets caught, and Cooney unleashes rights and lefts, and Morrison crumbles to the canvas. I'd say KO8th Gerry Cooney winner.

He was down twice against Williams and had a broken jaw against Hipp, in addition to the Ruddock fight.
When did Cooney come back after similar adversity to win a fight?

[HomicideHenry]

Again, Williams was older than dirt. Hipp was limited, slow, and clumsy. Ruddock hadn't fought in a few years. One can argue Morrison never really had a win over a 'prime' heavyweight in his career. If that's coming over adversity, when the same criteria is used against Cooney, who lost to two prime fighters in Holmes and Spinks (I left Foreman out cus that wasn't 'prime'), then you have to factor in just how easy it was for Cooney to defeat the not so prime guys he faced versus Morrison's victories over not so prime guys, whom as you all pointed out he fought almost life and limb against. That makes them practically 'even' when it comes to resolve. At least Cooney had wins over Chaplin and Gregg who were still useful and in their prime. Morrison on the other hand, I can't seem to recall as having beaten a guy who wasn't either old, inactive, or had limitations in their skill set.