For fight fans that are not aware, former light-heavyweight champ Bobby Czyz, who also won a major belt at cruiserweight, is currently battling cancer and is in need of help.
Of all the fights that could have happened that were close to happening, the one that serves to be absolutely the most tantalizing and causes the most regret that it did not happen is, for me, George Foreman Vs.
1980s heavyweight powerhouse Gerry Cooney engaged in a number of massive fights, often times against fellow big punchers. Today, long retired and with a fine career to look back on, Gerry hosts his radio show.
Gerry Cooney, who is far happier in retirement than he ever was in the ring, celebrates his 67th birthday today. The 1980s superstar (and he was, absolutely, for a short time at least) is one of the good luck stories in terms of how an ex-fighter can live into early old age with his health, his money, his popularity, and his reputation intact.
George Foreman had ruled, in fact terrorised, the heavyweight division in 1973 and 1974. Gerry Cooney had been a genuine heavyweight superstar sensation of a murderous left hooker in 1980/1981/1982.
Rewind to October of 1981, and there were two heavyweight champions – Larry Holmes, the WBC ruler as well as the lineal boss, and Mike Weaver, who held the WBA belt (the IBF would not come into existence until 1983, this further muddying the waters).
Both men had been in with Larry Holmes: Michael Spinks making a piece of boxing history in defeating the ageing Holmes in 1985, Gerry Cooney making a huge piece of financial security in being defeated by a still-at-his-peak (or just about) Holmes in 1982.
The Most Hyped Heavyweight Fight Of The Decade
The absolute monster of a heavyweight fight that took place 40 years ago today, between defending champ Larry Holmes and lethal-punching challenger Gerry Cooney, really did have it all: snipers on rooftops, enormous racial tensions, death threats hurled at Holmes, a Time Magazine cover featuring Cooney and silver screen heavyweight king Sly Stallone, divided opinions, a hell of a lot of money generated, and, perhaps most memorably, a lifetime of tradition trampled on before the opening bell rang, this when Cooney, the challenger, was introduced before Holmes, the reigning champion.
Heavyweight legends Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney are currently touring the UK, primarily to recall and to celebrate their huge June 1982 showdown that took place in Las Vegas.
Gerry Cooney seemed to have it all and he seemed to be on his way to the top of the heavyweight division.