The Psychology of Boxing with Heavyweight Contender Gerry Cooney

Gerry Cooney is a retired Irish-American professional heavyweight boxer and host of his own national radio show, “At The Fights” heard on SiriusXM.

Known for his big left-hook and his imposing size, the tall, lean Gerry Cooney had his first paid fight on February 15, 1977, beating Billy Jackson by a knockout in one round. Nine wins followed and Cooney gained attention as a future contender. Although his opponents were carefully chosen. He moved up a weight class and fought future world cruiserweight champion S.T. Gordon in Las Vegas, winning by a fourth round disqualification. Cooney had 11 more wins, spanning 1978 and 1979. Among those he defeated were Charlie Polite, former US heavyweight champion Eddie Lopez, and Tom Prater.

By 1980, Cooney was being featured on national television. Stepping up he beat one time title challengers Jimmy Young and Ron Lyle, both by ‘knockout’. Although Young was stopped on cuts. By now he was ranked number 1 by the WBC and eager for a match with champion Larry Holmes.

In 1981, he defeated former world heavyweight champion Ken Norton by a knockout just 54 seconds into the first round with a blisteringly powerful attack, which broke the record set in 1948 by Lee Savold for the quickest knockout in a main event in Madison Square Garden