Gerry Cooney - Revision history

Joe speck at 06:55, 5 August 2019

2019-08-05T06:55:22Z

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	After the fight, Cooney repeatedly apologized to his supporters. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said. "I tried with all my heart." He felt that he let down a lot of people.		After the fight, Cooney repeatedly apologized to his supporters. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said. "I tried with all my heart." He felt that he let down a lot of people.

	Hindered with injuries and substance abuse problems, Cooney didn't fight again for two years. After two knockout wins in 1984, he retired. Cooney returned to the ring in 1986 and knocked out WBA #3 ranked contender [[Eddie Gregg]] in one round.		Hindered with injuries and substance abuse problems, Cooney didn't fight again for two years. After two knockout wins in 1984, he retired. Cooney returned to the ring in 1986 and knocked out WBA #3* ranked contender [[Eddie Gregg]] in one round. *fact? Very questionable statement.

	Cooney fought [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987. Prior to the fight, Spinks was stripped of the [[IBF]] title because he chose to fight Cooney instead of [[Tony Tucker]], the #1 IBF contender. However, the fight was recognized as being for the [[World Heavyweight Champion\|World Heavyweight Championship]] by 18 states and [[The Ring Magazine]]. Spinks, an 8 to 5 underdog, dropped Cooney twice and won by a [[Fight:21854\|fifth-round TKO]].		Cooney fought [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987. Prior to the fight, Spinks was stripped of the [[IBF]] title because he chose to fight Cooney instead of [[Tony Tucker]], the #1 IBF contender. However, the fight was recognized as being for the [[World Heavyweight Champion\|World Heavyweight Championship]] by 18 states and [[The Ring Magazine]]. Spinks, an 8 to 5 underdog, dropped Cooney twice and won by a [[Fight:21854\|fifth-round TKO]].

Wouter at 15:27, 29 May 2014

2014-05-29T15:27:57Z

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	In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York [[Golden Gloves]] Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.		In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York [[Golden Gloves]] Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.

	Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977 after compiling an amateur record of 55-3.		Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed [[Earl Tripp\|Earlous Tripp]] to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977 after compiling an amateur record of 55-3.

	In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.		In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.

Hhascup at 16:02, 31 March 2014

2014-03-31T16:02:26Z

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	Boxing historian [[Herbert Goldman]] ranked Cooney as the 20th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1987, and [[The Ring Magazine]] ranked him as the 53rd [[The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time!\|greatest puncher of all-time]] in 2003.		Boxing historian [[Herbert Goldman]] ranked Cooney as the 20th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1987, and [[The Ring Magazine]] ranked him as the 53rd [[The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time!\|greatest puncher of all-time]] in 2003.

	*Inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on November 13, 1997..		*Inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on November 13, 1997.
	*Inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame on March 30, 2014.		*Inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame on March 30, 2014.

Hhascup at 16:02, 31 March 2014

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	Boxing historian [[Herbert Goldman]] ranked Cooney as the 20th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1987, and [[The Ring Magazine]] ranked him as the 53rd [[The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time!\|greatest puncher of all-time]] in 2003.		Boxing historian [[Herbert Goldman]] ranked Cooney as the 20th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1987, and [[The Ring Magazine]] ranked him as the 53rd [[The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time!\|greatest puncher of all-time]] in 2003.

			*Inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on November 13, 1997..
			*Inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame on March 30, 2014.

	==External Links==		==External Links==

Earl at 05:58, 6 April 2013

2013-04-06T05:58:32Z

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	Hindered with injuries and substance abuse problems, Cooney didn't fight again for two years. After two knockout wins in 1984, he retired. Cooney returned to the ring in 1986 and knocked out WBA #3 ranked contender [[Eddie Gregg]] in one round.		Hindered with injuries and substance abuse problems, Cooney didn't fight again for two years. After two knockout wins in 1984, he retired. Cooney returned to the ring in 1986 and knocked out WBA #3 ranked contender [[Eddie Gregg]] in one round.

	Cooney was [[~~Fight:21854~~\|~~stopped in five rounds~~]] by [[~~Michael Spinks~~]] ~~in 1987 in~~ an ~~attempt~~ to ~~win the lineal World Heavyweight Championship~~. In 1990, Cooney returned to the ring one more time~~, losing to~~ [[George Foreman]] by a [[Fight:4004\|~~second-round~~ knockout]].		Cooney fought [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987. Prior to the fight, Spinks was stripped of the [[IBF]] title because he chose to fight Cooney instead of [[Tony Tucker]], the #1 IBF contender. However, the fight was recognized as being for the [[World Heavyweight Champion\|World Heavyweight Championship]] by 18 states and [[The Ring Magazine]]. Spinks, an 8 to 5 underdog, dropped Cooney twice and won by a [[Fight:21854\|fifth-round TKO]].

			In 1990, Cooney returned to the ring one more time and fought [[George Foreman]]. Cooney had a good first round, rocking Foreman with a left hook. After the fight, Foreman said Cooney "hit me harder than anyone I've ever been in the ring with." However, in the second round, Foreman floored Cooney twice and won by a [[Fight:4004\|knockout]].

	In retirement, Cooney has worked with at-risk youth and founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.		In retirement, Cooney has worked with at-risk youth and founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.

Earl at 19:55, 5 April 2013

2013-04-05T19:55:34Z

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	In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York [[Golden Gloves]] Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.		In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York [[Golden Gloves]] Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.

	Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977.		Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977 after compiling an amateur record of 55-3.

	In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.		In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.
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	In retirement, Cooney has worked with at-risk youth and founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.		In retirement, Cooney has worked with at-risk youth and founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.

			Boxing historian [[Herbert Goldman]] ranked Cooney as the 20th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1987, and [[The Ring Magazine]] ranked him as the 53rd [[The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time!\|greatest puncher of all-time]] in 2003.

	==External Links==		==External Links==

Earl at 19:35, 5 April 2013

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	Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington, Long Island. His trainer was John Capobianco, Sr.		Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington, Long Island. His trainer was John Capobianco, Sr.

	In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York Golden Gloves Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.		In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York [[Golden Gloves]] Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.

	Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977.		Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977.
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	In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.		In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.

	Cooney had a tentative agreement to meet [[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Champion [[Mike Weaver]] on October 22, 1981, but the WBA said Weaver had to fight James "Quick" Tillis next or be stripped of the title. Cooney was ranked #1 by the WBA and Tillis was ranked #3, but the organization said that Tillis was the highest ranked available contender when Weaver was due for a mandatory defense in March 1981. At that time, Cooney and #2 ranked Leon Spinks had other fights scheduled.		Cooney had a tentative agreement to meet [[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Champion [[Mike Weaver]] on October 22, 1981, but the WBA said Weaver had to fight [[James Tillis\|James "Quick" Tillis]] next or be stripped of the title. Cooney was ranked #1 by the WBA and Tillis was ranked #3, but the organization said that Tillis was the highest ranked available contender when Weaver was due for a mandatory defense in March 1981. At that time, Cooney and #2 ranked [[Leon Spinks]] had other fights scheduled.

	After the Weaver fight fell through, Cooney signed to fight [[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. Each fighter was guaranteed $10 million dollars. The fight would take place at [[Caesars Palace]] in Las Vegas, Nevada, and be televised live on closed-circuit and pay-per-view television all over the world. A week after the bout, it would be re-broadcast on HBO, and later still, on ABC-TV. The fight was originally scheduled for March 15, 1982, but the bout was postponed after Cooney tore muscle fibers in his left shoulder. It was rescheduled for June 11.		After the Weaver fight fell through, Cooney signed to fight [[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. Each fighter was guaranteed $10 million dollars. The fight would take place at [[Caesars Palace]] in Las Vegas, Nevada, and be televised live on closed-circuit and pay-per-view television all over the world. A week after the bout, it would be re-broadcast on [[HBO]], and later still, on ABC-TV. The fight was originally scheduled for March 15, 1982, but the bout was postponed after Cooney tore muscle fibers in his left shoulder. It was rescheduled for June 11.

	Since there had not a white heavyweight champion in twenty-two years, the Holmes-Cooney fight had very important racial implications and was promoted to that effect by promoter [[Don King]]. The bout was one of the most racially toned events in boxing since [[Jack Johnson]] [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries\|fought]] [[James J. Jeffries]] in 1910. “This is a white and black fight,” King said. “Anyway you look at it, you cannot change that. Gerry Cooney: Irish, white, Catholic.” Cooney’s managers, [[Mike Jones (Manager)\|Mike Jones]] and [[Dennis Rappaport]] (known in the media as the Whacko Twins) fanned the flames, too. “I do not respect Larry Holmes as a human being,” Rappaport said. “I don’t think he’s carried the championship with dignity.” They pushed Cooney, with little subtlety, as white America’s champion. “He’s not the white man, he’s the right man,” Rappaport liked to say.		Since there had not been a white heavyweight champion in twenty-two years, the Holmes-Cooney fight had very important racial implications and was promoted to that effect by promoter [[Don King]]. The bout was one of the most racially toned events in boxing since [[Jack Johnson]] [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries\|fought]] [[James J. Jeffries]] in 1910. “This is a white and black fight,” King said. “Anyway you look at it, you cannot change that. Gerry Cooney: Irish, white, Catholic.” Cooney’s managers, [[Mike Jones (Manager)\|Mike Jones]] and [[Dennis Rappaport]] (known in the media as the Whacko Twins) fanned the flames, too. “I do not respect Larry Holmes as a human being,” Rappaport said. “I don’t think he’s carried the championship with dignity.” They pushed Cooney, with little subtlety, as white America’s champion. “He’s not the white man, he’s the right man,” Rappaport liked to say.

	A record Las Vegas crowd of 29,284 created a record live gate of $7,293,600. There were many celebrities in attendance, including Joe DiMaggio, Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Jack Nicholson. Also, in anticipation of victory, a special hot-line was installed in Cooney's dressing room so he could receive a congratulatory phone call from President Ronald Reagan. No such hot-line was installed in Holmes' dressing room.		A record Las Vegas crowd of 29,284 created a record live gate of $7,293,600. There were many celebrities in attendance, including Joe DiMaggio, Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Jack Nicholson. Also, in anticipation of victory, a special hot-line was installed in Cooney's dressing room so he could receive a congratulatory phone call from President Ronald Reagan. No such hot-line was installed in Holmes' dressing room.

Earl at 19:26, 5 April 2013

2013-04-05T19:26:29Z

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	[[~~file~~:~~Cooney.Gerry~~.jpg\|left\|Gerry Cooney]]		[[File:Cooney165349747.jpg\|left\|Gerry Cooney]]
	<boxer>002463</boxer>		<boxer>002463</boxer>
	'''Division:''' Heavyweight<br>		'''Division:''' Heavyweight<br>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Victor Valle]]<br>		'''Trainer:''' [[Victor Valle]]<br>
	'''~~Manager~~:''' [[Dennis Rappaport]] and [[Mike Jones (Manager)\|Mike Jones]]<br>		'''Managers:''' [[Dennis Rappaport]] and [[Mike Jones (Manager)\|Mike Jones]]<br>
	'''[[:Category:Gerry Cooney Gallery\|Gerry Cooney Gallery]]		'''[[:Category:Gerry Cooney Gallery\|Gerry Cooney Gallery]]

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
	----		----
	[[file:Time_6-14-82.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Gerry Cooney and [[Sylvester Stallone]] on the cover of Time]]		[[file:Time_6-14-82.jpg\|right\|thumb\|225px\|Gerry Cooney and [[Sylvester Stallone]] on the cover of Time magazine in 1982]]
	'''Gerry Cooney''' is best remembered for his classic 1982 [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|fight]] with [[Larry Holmes]] for the World Heavyweight Championship.		'''Gerry Cooney''' is best remembered for his classic 1982 [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|fight]] with [[Larry Holmes]] for the [[World Heavyweight Champion\|World Heavyweight Championship]]. Cooney was considered to be a [[White Hope]] by many critics during his career, but he also acquired a reputation as a knockout artist.

	Cooney ~~was considered~~ to be ~~a [[White Hope]] by many critics during his career~~, ~~but he also acquired a reputation as a knockout artist. In 1980~~, ~~Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] in four rounds~~, ~~staggering him with left hands and opening a cut with a right~~, ~~which led to a TKO win~~. Cooney ~~then stopped [[Ron Lyle]] in two minutes forty-nine seconds. After~~ the ~~fight~~, ~~while~~ he ~~was~~ in ~~his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped~~, ~~Lyle~~ said ~~that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced~~. ~~In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]]~~ in ~~fifty-four seconds~~.		Cooney grew up on Long Island. His father, an abusive alcoholic, pushed him into boxing in his teens. "I had to be in bed early, up early, and run, run, run," Cooney said. Though Cooney bridled at the discipline, he went along. "I lived in fear," Cooney said. His father died of cancer in 1976.

	~~These victories earned him a shot~~ at ~~[[World Heavyweight Champion]] Larry Holmes. The Holmes fight had very important racial implications and was promoted to that effect by promoter [[Don King]] The bout was one of~~ the ~~most racially toned events~~ in ~~boxing since [[Jack Johnson]] [[Jack Johnson vs~~. ~~James J. Jeffries\|fought]] [[James J. Jeffries]] in 1910~~.		Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington, Long Island. His trainer was John Capobianco, Sr.

	~~Holmes vs~~. Cooney ~~broke many Las Vegas records~~, ~~including for attendance at a Las Vegas fight and money wagered~~, ~~both at~~ the ~~sportsbooks and tables. Many celebrities of~~ the ~~day were in attendance. It~~ was ~~also reported that United States President Ronald Reagan had promised to call Cooney in his dressing room if he won the fight~~.		In 1973, Cooney stopped Larry Derrick in three rounds to win the New York Golden Gloves Sub-Novice Middleweight Championship. That same year, Cooney's brother, Tom Cooney, reached the finals in the Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George.

	The ~~bout~~ turned ~~out to be a classic war~~, ~~and~~ Cooney ~~showed his bravery and toughness~~. He ~~was knocked down in~~ the ~~2nd round but came back strong~~, ~~hurting Holmes with a left~~ to the ~~body at~~ the ~~end of the 4th~~ round. ~~The~~ fight was ~~[[Larry Holmes vs~~. ~~Gerry~~ Cooney\|stopped ~~in the 13th round]] when Cooney's trainer,~~ [[~~Victor Valle~~]]~~, entered the ring to prevent Cooney from taking any further punishment. Holmes always maintained that this was one of the toughest bouts of his career~~.		Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division in 1975, but he was defeated by Johnny Davis. The following year, he outpointed Earlous Tripp to win the Heavyweight Open Championship. Cooney turned professional in 1977.

			In May 1980, Cooney stopped [[Jimmy Young]] after four rounds. He battered Young to the body and opened a bad cut over his right eye, which led to the stoppage. Five months later, Cooney knocked out [[Ron Lyle]] in the first round. After the fight, while he was in his dressing room getting his damaged ribs taped, Lyle said that Cooney was the hardest hitter he had ever faced. In 1981, Cooney brutally stopped [[Ken Norton]] in fifty-four seconds.

	~~Following the Holmes loss,~~ Cooney ~~never regained his stature as~~ a ~~top heavyweight contender~~, ~~as he~~ was ~~hindered with injuries~~, ~~inactivity~~, and ~~substance abuse problems. However, he remained popular~~.		Cooney had a tentative agreement to meet [[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Champion [[Mike Weaver]] on October 22, 1981, but the WBA said Weaver had to fight James "Quick" Tillis next or be stripped of the title. Cooney was ranked #1 by the WBA and Tillis was ranked #3, but the organization said that Tillis was the highest ranked available contender when Weaver was due for a mandatory defense in March 1981. At that time, Cooney and #2 ranked Leon Spinks had other fights scheduled.

	~~He was~~ [[~~Fight:21854\|stopped in five rounds~~]] by [[~~Michael Spinks~~]] in ~~1987 in an attempt to win~~ the ~~lineal World Heavyweight Championship~~. ~~In 1990~~, ~~Cooney returned to the ring one more time~~, ~~losing to [[George Foreman]] by a [[Fight:4004\|2nd~~-~~round knockout]]~~.		After the Weaver fight fell through, Cooney signed to fight [[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. Each fighter was guaranteed $10 million dollars. The fight would take place at [[Caesars Palace]] in Las Vegas, Nevada, and be televised live on closed-circuit and pay-per-view television all over the world. A week after the bout, it would be re-broadcast on HBO, and later still, on ABC-TV. The fight was originally scheduled for March 15, 1982, but the bout was postponed after Cooney tore muscle fibers in his left shoulder. It was rescheduled for June 11.

	~~In retirement~~, Cooney ~~founded F~~.I.S.T. (~~Fighters’ Initiative for Support~~ and ~~Training~~), ~~an organization to help retired boxers~~.		Since there had not a white heavyweight champion in twenty-two years, the Holmes-Cooney fight had very important racial implications and was promoted to that effect by promoter [[Don King]]. The bout was one of the most racially toned events in boxing since [[Jack Johnson]] [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries\|fought]] [[James J. Jeffries]] in 1910. “This is a white and black fight,” King said. “Anyway you look at it, you cannot change that. Gerry Cooney: Irish, white, Catholic.” Cooney’s managers, [[Mike Jones (Manager)\|Mike Jones]] and [[Dennis Rappaport]] (known in the media as the Whacko Twins) fanned the flames, too. “I do not respect Larry Holmes as a human being,” Rappaport said. “I don’t think he’s carried the championship with dignity.” They pushed Cooney, with little subtlety, as white America’s champion. “He’s not the white man, he’s the right man,” Rappaport liked to say.
	~~== New York Golden Gloves ==~~
	Cooney ~~trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington~~, ~~Long Island~~, ~~New York~~. ~~His trainer was John Capobianco~~, Sr.

	~~Cooney won two New York [[Golden Gloves]] Championships~~. ~~He won both the 1973 Middleweight Sub-Novice Championship~~, ~~defeating Larry Derrick [http://www~~.~~youtube~~.~~com/watch?v=iog6e9DsSfM]and the 1976 Heavyweight Open Championship, defeating Earlous Tripp~~.		A record Las Vegas crowd of 29,284 created a record live gate of $7,293,600. There were many celebrities in attendance, including Joe DiMaggio, Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Jack Nicholson. Also, in anticipation of victory, a special hot-line was installed in Cooney's dressing room so he could receive a congratulatory phone call from President Ronald Reagan. No such hot-line was installed in Holmes' dressing room.

	~~In 1975~~, Cooney ~~reached~~ the ~~finals~~ of the ~~Light Heavyweight Open Division but~~ was ~~defeated by Johnny Davis~~.		The bout turned out to be a classic war, and Cooney showed his bravery and toughness. He was knocked down in the second round but came back strong, hurting Holmes with a left to the body at the end of the fourth round. The fight was [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|stopped in the thirteenth round]] when Cooney's trainer, [[Victor Valle]], entered the ring to prevent Cooney from taking any further punishment. Holmes always maintained that this was one of the toughest bouts of his career.

	~~In 1973~~, ~~Tom~~ Cooney, ~~the brother~~ of ~~Gerry~~, ~~reached~~ the ~~finals of~~ the New York Golden Gloves ~~Sub-Novice Heavyweight Division, where he was defeated by Eric George~~.		After the fight, Cooney repeatedly apologized to his supporters. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said. "I tried with all my heart." He felt that he let down a lot of people.

			Hindered with injuries and substance abuse problems, Cooney didn't fight again for two years. After two knockout wins in 1984, he retired. Cooney returned to the ring in 1986 and knocked out WBA #3 ranked contender [[Eddie Gregg]] in one round.

			Cooney was [[Fight:21854\|stopped in five rounds]] by [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987 in an attempt to win the lineal World Heavyweight Championship. In 1990, Cooney returned to the ring one more time, losing to [[George Foreman]] by a [[Fight:4004\|second-round knockout]].

			In retirement, Cooney has worked with at-risk youth and founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.

			==External Links==
			*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iog6e9DsSfM 1973 New York Golden Gloves]
			*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZD9nRC3Jt4 1976 New York Golden Gloves]
			*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvzrcigiWNM Legendary Nights: The Tale of Holmes vs. Cooney]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooney, Gerry}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooney, Gerry}}
	[[Category:New York Daily News Golden Gloves Champions]]		[[Category:New York Daily News Golden Gloves Champions]]
	[[Category:Irish American Boxers]]		[[Category:Irish American Boxers]]

Roccom at 18:02, 3 November 2012

2012-11-03T18:02:24Z

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	Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington, Long Island, New York. His trainer was John Capobianco, Sr.		Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Huntington, Long Island, New York. His trainer was John Capobianco, Sr.

	Cooney won two New York [[Golden Gloves]] Championships. He won both the 1973 Middleweight Sub-Novice Championship, defeating Larry Derrick, and the 1976 Heavyweight Open Championship, defeating Earlous Tripp.		Cooney won two New York [[Golden Gloves]] Championships. He won both the 1973 Middleweight Sub-Novice Championship, defeating Larry Derrick [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iog6e9DsSfM]and the 1976 Heavyweight Open Championship, defeating Earlous Tripp.

	In 1975, Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division but was defeated by Johnny Davis.		In 1975, Cooney reached the finals of the Light Heavyweight Open Division but was defeated by Johnny Davis.

Boxsoup at 21:14, 30 October 2012

2012-10-30T21:14:03Z

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	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
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	[[file:Time_6-14-82.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Gerry Cooney and Sylvester Stallone on the cover of Time]]		[[file:Time_6-14-82.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Gerry Cooney and [[Sylvester Stallone]] on the cover of Time]]
	'''Gerry Cooney''' is best remembered for his classic 1982 [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|fight]] with [[Larry Holmes]] for the World Heavyweight Championship.		'''Gerry Cooney''' is best remembered for his classic 1982 [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|fight]] with [[Larry Holmes]] for the World Heavyweight Championship.

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	Holmes vs. Cooney broke many Las Vegas records, including for attendance at a Las Vegas fight and money wagered, both at the sportsbooks and tables. Many celebrities of the day were in attendance. It was also reported that United States President Ronald Reagan had promised to call Cooney in his dressing room if he won the fight.		Holmes vs. Cooney broke many Las Vegas records, including for attendance at a Las Vegas fight and money wagered, both at the sportsbooks and tables. Many celebrities of the day were in attendance. It was also reported that United States President Ronald Reagan had promised to call Cooney in his dressing room if he won the fight.

	The bout turned out to be a classic war, and Cooney showed his bravery and toughness. He was knocked down in the 2nd round but came back strong, hurting Holmes with a left to the body at the end of the 4th round. The fight was [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|stopped in the 13th round]] when Cooney's trainer, Victor Valle, entered the ring to prevent Cooney from taking any further punishment. Holmes always maintained that this was one of the toughest bouts of his career.		The bout turned out to be a classic war, and Cooney showed his bravery and toughness. He was knocked down in the 2nd round but came back strong, hurting Holmes with a left to the body at the end of the 4th round. The fight was [[Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney\|stopped in the 13th round]] when Cooney's trainer, [[Victor Valle]], entered the ring to prevent Cooney from taking any further punishment. Holmes always maintained that this was one of the toughest bouts of his career.

	Following the Holmes loss, Cooney never regained his stature as a top heavyweight contender, as he was hindered with injuries, inactivity, and substance abuse problems. However, he remained popular.		Following the Holmes loss, Cooney never regained his stature as a top heavyweight contender, as he was hindered with injuries, inactivity, and substance abuse problems. However, he remained popular.

	He was [[Fight:21854\|stopped in five rounds]] by [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987 in an attempt to win the lineal World Heavyweight Championship. In 1990, Cooney returned to the ring one more time, losing to George Foreman by a [[Fight:4004\|2nd-round knockout]].		He was [[Fight:21854\|stopped in five rounds]] by [[Michael Spinks]] in 1987 in an attempt to win the lineal World Heavyweight Championship. In 1990, Cooney returned to the ring one more time, losing to [[George Foreman]] by a [[Fight:4004\|2nd-round knockout]].

	In retirement, Cooney founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.		In retirement, Cooney founded F.I.S.T. (Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training), an organization to help retired boxers.