Gerry Cooney

Gerry Cooney (* August 4, 1956 in New York ) is a former American heavyweight boxer.

Professional career

He was in the early 80s as the famous " white hope " of the American heavyweight scene.

After 22 wins against construction opponent, he won 1980 each prematurely against Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle and the former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. All three were at this time, however, shortly before the retirement. Nevertheless, he achieved by this victory, the first position in the WBC rankings and earned himself the right to challenge the WBC champion Larry Holmes.

Finally, on June 11, 1982, there arrived in Las Vegas to fight with Holmes. To generate increased public interest in this meeting by the promoter Don King in terms of the stereotypical discussion of the white and black boxer was marketed. This strategy was successful and the fight set a new attendance record in Las Vegas. The sum of the bets was as high as ever. In battle Cooney had then already in the second round to the ground; in the further course it also points were deducted for three low blows. In the thirteenth round Cooney entered the ring trainer to have to stop the fight. Holmes won the fight by TKO.

In the following five years, Cooney played only three fights. This inactivity was partly due injuries and drug problems. In 1987, he lost to Michael Spinks in the battle for the linear world championship. After another three years without a fight, he joined in 1990 in his last professional fight against George Foreman on who just made ​​his comeback and lost by knockout in the second round.