Larry Holmes on Beating "Great White Hope" Gerry Cooney, Racist Overtones (Part 5)

Part 6: • Larry Holmes on Going ...
Part 4: • Larry Holmes on Trevor...
Part 1: • Larry Holmes on Droppi...
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In this clip, Larry Holmes started out by speaking about his fights against Leon Spinks and Ronaldo Snipes, and then he transitioned into speaking about his highly publicized fight against Gerry Cooney. Larry explained that the fight against Gerry was being played out as a white vs Black fight in the media, with Gerry's team wearing "Not the White Man, but the Right Man" shirts. He also spoke about each of them having a $10 million purse for the fight, the biggest of his career. After winning the fight, Larry explained that he is still friends with Gerry, and he added that he won't stand for people dissing Gerry around him.

[@enochbrown8178]

Larry Holmes is one of the great heavyweight boxers of all time. He is very underrated as a fighter. He was all business. He was like a reliable workman who came to work everyday and did his job well. There was no flashiness to him, but he was and is a solid human being. Love this guy. He's a man's man.

[@michaelfrost4584]

A great man.

[@jamesbrice6619]

He was a flaming a..hole.

[@rg-pq1kb]

indeed... hard nosed businessman and underrated as a fighter

[@Steve52344]

Terribly underrated.

[@dbz0412]

Tupac: Larry Holmes all flabby and sick Me: Larry Holmes alive, flabby & looking good in 2020

[@bluu_ice6554]

It was only a verse. Calm down kakarat

[@ccvjd3909]

Tupac was a ruthless bully. One time he slapped a teenage boy who was afflicted with down syndrome . He did this because the kid hugged him

[@cerromeceo]

I thought 50 cent said that shit

[@sweatt318]

😂😂😂no🧢

[@sweatt318]

Alot of people praised 2pac but i know some people dat new him personal and they told me he was arrogant peice of shit

[@think4ward996]

This why I can't stop watching vlad interviews.. He interviews EVERYONE lmao I'm a huge boxing fan and I loved this one

[@benbenbrown1742]

man I'm a big fight fan I didnt watch no more interviews until he start interviewing fighters🤦🏾‍♂️

[@mauriceporter1590]

Exactly. A great culture vulture.

[@robbnelsonjr6061]

@TheRealist811 yeah Fuck VLad he seem to do that bullshit with Rappers just like Charlamane the god interview with Beanie segal I thought beanie was gonna whoop his ass

[@NortonPeabody]

Once again Larry Holmes shows he's a class act...an underrated champion and human being.....

[@josephshields2922]

Came up in the shadow left by Ali. Whenever you follow someone who is larger than life you are always underrated. When Joe Louis retired neither Walcott nor Charles got the recognition they deserved. When Dempsey left the stage all those who followed him got compared to him, Baer, Schmeling, Sharky. Gene Tunney is not even given his due and he beat Dempsey. Holmes didn't help himself either with his disparaging remarks about Rocky Marciano.

[@bh8365]

Happy to hear of Larry's friendship with Gerry. Cooney didn't seem to buy into that White Hope negative narrative. Holmes a legend and a good guy.

[@bh8365]

@@seanwfindley I think the sports press were not fair to Larry. But I always liked him, from back then, and still do.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@seanwfindley True I was a white boy living in a mostly white suburb. I wanted Holmes to win. Not because of race, race didn't mean anything to me, but because of merit. I thought he was the better fighter, and a noble champion.

[@skepchica]

The fighters don't buy into it, it's something stupid the media loves-- look at Tyson Fury now, who's a mediocre fighter at his best.

[@bh8365]

@@skepchica Yes. The media likes to stirr things up.

[@skepchica]

@@bh8365 Ali called them "agitators". He should've broken Marciano's record but we really knew that wasn't happening. Him jumping off a car to double dropkick Berbick then going back inside to finish his bands set is hilarious. A true character. 🤣🤣

[@chedoggy1604]

Never knew Holmes was so humble.....Whole new respect for you brother, GOD bless you!!

[@brusk3978]

Most people at that age gets humble but he was a bad mofo when he knew he kick anyone ass literally in the whole world lol

[@chedoggy1604]

@@brusk3978 Hahaha, real talk.....!! Didn't think of it that way.

[@sinowino6685]

@@chedoggy1604 you must be white or a milky bar.

[@chedoggy1604]

@@sinowino6685 Ask ya mother.....She definitely knows.😉😊

[@sinowino6685]

@@chedoggy1604 she said you're not white but pink. Pink people love Black people to be super humble. But they hate arrogant Blacks like Malcolm X or Muhammad Ali. Those guys make you feel small.

[@edmiller6669]

The day still has not come where Larry feels appreciated. Larry i appreciate you. YOU WAS THE 80'S AND early 90'S in the Heavyweight Division. Let's forget about Ali & Tyson for a minute. GET MY POINT YOU ARE THE & . Ali, Frazier , Foreman , Norton...... HOLMES........Tyson. Thanks for all the GREAT fights Larry That JAB was ONE OF A KIND

[@jamaaldaynitelong8367]

Facts

[@johnconnell4503]

Agreed totally

[@swedenoble6083]

@@johnconnell4503 I don't give a s*** what color you are and what color you can be Larry Holmes had one of the best jabs in the business he could move he could take a licking and get off the mat and finish the motherfukers💪👊 shows big respect for me and I'm a hell of a lot bigger and Larry Holmes Larry Holmes is a good man is not hated by white people and all people I've mired Larry and I got to work the with him one time stinging left jab it could take your f****** head off God bless you Larry Holmes the Easton assassin 🙏😎👍💪👊

[@markhiggins8315]

Actually Larry was The Man from around 79 to 84. He was retired for most of the late 80's. When he came back properly(the Tyson debacle wasn't a fair representation of Larry as he didn't get a real chance to prepare)he was still a formidable fighter in his early 40's, skilled, tough and crafty.

[@alexduran1967]

Things have changed a bit, Larry now gets a lot more love than he did then. Most consider him in the top 3 heavyweights of all time these days. It took a long time to get there, but people know how good Holmes was.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Love that he has a photo with Gerry Cooney in the back. For all the stuff that was made about that fight, Cooney is a good dude and has helped a lot of Black fighters. He was made to be the Great White Hope and all the racist stuff about their fight was Don King and Cooney's manager Dennis Rapaport.

[@Joe-gu6oe]

Thru out the yrs since I watched the fight live, I have learned the 'racial' stuff, before and during the fight did not sit well at Gerry's side. He got past it quick! To the victors and, prejudicial fans, go the spoils! Prejudice and racism continue. Gerry came out of a boxing gyn=m and surely was accustomed to racial matters.

[@brotherd9904]

Met Gerry Cooney at a Thanksgiving dinner with my family. Larry is spot on about Gerry. He's is a nice guy.

[@mauricelamar9394]

Listening to Larry speak or any old black man, always make me proud of my race.

[@umarscamartistjohnson1784]

😂😂😂 if somebody just saying random shit makes you proud you’re a dumb fuck

[@umarscamartistjohnson1784]

@bigjam369 🤣

[@umarscamartistjohnson1784]

@bigjam369 😭😭😭😭😭😭 I’m share this 😂😂😂😂

[@bosstalksports4916]

Facts

[@johnconnell4503]

Larry is no doubt a legend

[@UKBornin1971]

The Easton Assassin!!!🥊

[@CliffPierson777]

"If you really wanna get tech-ncal about da whole thang... Rocky couldn't carry my jockstrap." - Larry Holmes

[@summermadness100]

He couldn't. Common sense tells you the only reason he lost at 48-0 was because of racism . White folks ain't want the him to beat Rocky's record .

[@RayOnRoundball]

Well that’s fucking retarded. Larry Holmes lost twice to Michael Spinks. Do you think really Spinks is better than Jersey Joe or Ezzard Charles?

[@justafan3697]

@@RayOnRoundball it was a set up for white boys egos not to get hurt 😂 Larry Holmes would kill Rocky literally kill don’t get a man murdered for your little ego 😂

[@RayOnRoundball]

@@justafan3697 You're telling me Larry Holmes lost because white judges didn't want Holmes to break Marciano's record? lmfao Imagine being that fucking delusional and gullible. Holmes has always been a sore loser and a poor winner. This is the same guy who's consistently said, for the better part of 30 years, that Muhammad Ali's deteriorating mental faculty was no excuse for his poor performance in their match. This is the same guy who said he lost to Tyson because his arm got caught in the ropes, despite the fact that he was just overwhelmed. Larry Holmes is just lucky that George Foreman stepped away from boxing in the late seventies.

[@RayOnRoundball]

@@justafan3697 Imagine being so racist that you can't even respect white boxers.

[@ericgladden1932]

One of the best to ever do it! Best Jab ever

[@ToneRetroGaming]

Yes sir I just mentioned that before I read this

[@sb848]

Liston ?

[@miguelwilliams6876]

This man had them hands 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@terrencemichaelcruz1801]

"Whooped the shit outta him".. Damn I love this man. What a amazing grandfather he'd be to have.. Also, love that old school respect these guys had for eachother. Gotta love a man who not only beats his opponent, but obvious modern day racism. In my now 21 years of boxing, I've learned something about a lot of things. One of the most important is Theres No Room In Boxing For Racism (or anywhere else for that matter). If you listen to this amazing man, and the love and respect he has for Gerry Cooney his "buddy". Even after the complete biases of the nation, including the President. Its NEVER the fighter, we know when you look across the ring. At a man who wants to knock your head off, it dont matter what damn color he is! Pain is pain, and loss is loss. Its never the fighter, t's the fans, who start talkin that racial shit. Anyway, much love to Holmes & Cooney!

[@dominiquejones3805]

What gets me is people act like the racial influence isn't there still 2 this day

[@TLGIII]

One of the greatest days of my life when Holmes beat Cooney. Some kids at my elementary school were getting out of hand. There was actually Cooney chants! Lol Holmes shut that up! Thank you Larry! Thank You!

[@johnconnell4503]

Cant blame em...aint had a white contender since...like Larry said..he was the great white hope...i was 12 then..and im irish..and i went to a all black school...fuck no i keep my mouth shut...sure i had fucktards try to egg me on....i never bit...hell no that fight was way bigger then me and i knew better...unlike all those kids who rode my ass because i was white.. didnt know Jack Johnson was one of my heroes...well because i love to read for one..and i know the history of boxing....saying anything like that would have just made it worse...but oh yeah...i remember...i was proud of Larry...he got way disrespected ...handle it best he could without killing anyone...and now him and Gerry great friends...shows you who the real man was all those years ago

[@brianm1185]

Not a white contender since? Klitschko brothers? Tyson fury? Just sayin

[@brianm1185]

@Sheha Nagaraj 👏👏👏👏👏

[@carlosdanger947]

@@johnconnell4503 I guess the Klitschkos were green?

[@AmericanWithTheTruth]

you sound racist.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Holmes never got his due as champ. He was what Evander Holyfield was in the 1990's coming after Tyson. Fighting in the shadow of the most beloved fighter and by far the most watched fighter of all time (for context, Ali's last win, the rematch over Leon Spinks to win the heavyweight title for the 3rd time, was watched by over 90 million people live on ABC. That was more than 10 of the 12 Super Bowls that had been played at the time), he couldn't win. That he was a lunch pail fighter with his great jab, straight right hand, and great ring generalship...there was always going to be SOMEONE he had to fight. Except he beat all of them.

[@rexfoster9629]

Larry Holmes, one of my favorite fighters and among the greatest heavyweights of all time! Much respect Larry Holmes! Great to see you and Gerry Cooney are friends. The Easton Assassin!!!

[@randyrobey5643]

Many people today don't know what a high-level fight the Holmes/Cooney fight was. They were both at their peaks.

[@petermallon8262]

So true. And a fight to look back on about race and the sad world we are living in. We are all the same. Some men are just better on the night. We are all one. Never forget who the enemy is the state. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@G-Man78]

Loool. This the most open I ever seen Larry Holmes in an interview lol. Him talking about spinks and Berbick lmfa

[@jasonclyburn1499]

Larry Holmes look like the old man that holds the line up at the gas station playing numbers

[@mikerich3378]

Man i hate that guy

[@rashawnjohnson4130]

He really do

[@kweefsweat5628]

Lol or playing the horse racing shit drinking the dollar beers they just bought

[@TSims873]

Lmao...spot on

[@damonwilson3609]

And you not realizing his background,making noise,potentially setting yourself up to get your ass knocked out BEFORE you even get to tell the attendant what pump you at!

[@emzid5105]

Everthing was set up for cooney to be champion in 1982 ( the judges even gave him many rounds not deserved to win on points ) but Holmes didn't allowed it and blew up the whole plan...

[@beatle9239]

Paperback, I was waiting for that to be talked about in the interview.

[@theinformationbomber7102]

I didn't even know about this

[@beatle9239]

@@theinformationbomber7102 If you can check somehow to see the scorecards of the fight, you will see that Cooney was winning at the time of the knockout.

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@@beatle9239 but in a actuality Holmes should have been winning right ?

[@beatle9239]

@@theinformationbomber7102 That is correct. Just watch a film of the fight.

[@johnconnell4503]

Gerry n him friends now.....CLASSIC

[@5LeafClover12]

You can tell he was a champ. Has the mindset. He knew he’s very confident in his accomplishments, but he’s humble at the same time. Im too young to remember his days fighting, but Interested in watching the fights

[@peterstelling8306]

I don't know who this interviewer is, but he should change the title of this video. The title immediately gives the impression that either Larry or Gerry Cooney is a racist. The content of the video however suggests that if there were any racism, it wasn't either boxer ! I ate at Larry Holmes restaurant in Easton, PA with my family and some close personal friends, about 10 years ago. I was privileged to meet the former heavyweight Champion of the world and he certainly comes across as a complete gentleman and a warm, friendly, gracious man. It was a complete honor for me to meet him and have a short conversation with him. The service at his restaurant was excellent, the food was very good and the portion sizes were astounding ! A great experience in every way !!!

[@SunnyReignz]

Holmes is very humble. Cause everybody disrespected him except Cooney. He could've easily punished Cooney for the shit they pulled.

[@fmills1583]

No Vlad, the Champion is not usually introduced first.

[@johnthomas6054]

There’s a little white boy that was rooting for you in Florida Larry over any Opponent. My dad and I watched everyone of your fights and we always cheered for you still to this day my dad and I’s favorite boxer is Larry Holmes!

[@michaelrose5544]

The problem for Gerry Cooney there was no way to prepare for Larry Holmes, the stepping stone did not exist. Larry was so much better than the contenders, Cooney could not get a feel for the level Larry was on until you faced Larry.

[@michaelcoates1983]

Mr. Holmes is a legend.

[@brusk3978]

Is just too bad his career fell right in between Ali and Tyson

[@abcdef-py6rh]

@@brusk3978 your thought is ... it cannot be argue

[@obynoomere1280]

Of course

[@barrywilson3643]

Larry Holmes beat the living 💩 out of Jerry Cooney which is one of the best fights I've seen in my life.

[@mizking5033]

It literally became a blood bath😁

[@Dempsey1873]

Jerry was a great fighter. Holmes just so happens to be a top 5 heavyweight

[@jameslee133]

Yes sir Mr. Holmes, when a man disrespects your wife, which is the same as disrespecting you, hurt him, badly.

[@andykerr3803]

You must watch the video where he attacked Berbick for that. It was classic, better than pro wrestling. He does not play.

[@djairalert422]

Vlad never does his research. He should know that the champ always gets announced last. 5:20

[@VirgoQueen823]

Vlad did you go to Easton PA for this interview???? Larry is the hometown hero.

[@enuttylawrence4381]

I'm from Newark New Jersey and know that Larry Holmes is King in Easton Pennsylvania

[@Michael-cb5nm]

Holmes seems to mix up his Berbick fight with Spinks…at 0:55 he says “Berbick” when they were clearly talking about Spinks

[@dotsoneugene]

He was a damn good boxer

[@mikeandmars2345]

Facts

[@BobGeis]

Larry has aged like fine wine. Good for him and God bless him. Great fighter, who never got the respect he deserved.

[@kasey9067]

I love it....great description and bloody well true!

[@HaddySmokes1992]

Vlad: did you ever meet the president ? Larry Holmes: i didnt like him.

[@connshawnery6489]

Haddy Smokes Well put. The fact that Regan had a phone installed in Cooney’s room is petty and demeaning toward Larry. Especially since Larry was such an incredible asset to the sport.

[@HaddySmokes1992]

@@connshawnery6489 ohh shit worrd ?? Thats wild cause i was jus playing 😂

[@connshawnery6489]

@Carl Rice They used the element of race to sell it, which is yet another level of petty, demeaning and stupid. Hopefully, there will come a time when people will stop taking the bait when this type of exploitation is used to promote ticket sales. Regardless, Larry is one of best Heavyweights to ever put the gloves on.

[@connshawnery6489]

@Carl Rice It’s largely a phenomenon of the US because here in Canada, we don’t have that kind of civil unrest among people of any background or ethnicity. Our largest cultural reference point heeded is the fact that we are all immigrants aside from the original race of native indigenous people. It’s just a weird legacy being carried in the States that remains a rub, a sticking point and a stumbling block for the whole society.

[@connshawnery6489]

@Carl Rice Definitely. I believe that. Even the emancipation proclamation set down by Lincoln was a political decision, not for solely humane reasons as people might believe and his legacy might portray. It’s about the tyrannical control of wealth, propagated by greed, which is a feature of humanity but many human beings differ on the spectrum of empathy and conscientiousness, perhaps more for those that exist within the hierarchical power structure.

[@bobbullethalf]

As a child I really admired Larry Holmes.

[@ogrio7528]

U old as hell 🤣

[@emzid5105]

@@ogrio7528 so funny...

[@ogrio7528]

@@emzid5105 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ruddiato]

@@ogrio7528 ook, dunno what's funny about that but ok.

[@ogrio7528]

@@ruddiato um ok corn ball 🤣

[@ringmasterjeb3453]

Best jab in boxing ever !!!!!!!!! Guy was sparring with Ali at 18 , at 20 he was kicking his butt. Ali said he would be the next great one. Amazing how non boxing fans do not know these facts. Holmes was one of the best in the last 40 yrs. LEGEND !!!

[@andykerr3803]

Truth, Ali knew it too. Way too many top fighters take on good young fighters only to control them. It's a strategy. Tyson Fury was bad for that.

[@HankFinkle11]

Sonny Liston disagrees.

[@andykerr3803]

@@HankFinkle11 Sonny Liston is dead, and what are you saying? That he had a better jab? He had a crazy reach of 84", but in terms of an effective Left over decades and over 50 wins, Larry Holmes was the man to emulate. And Larry is still around to say so. Not a small difference.

[@mrandyjeezy]

Probably the most underated boxers ever at least he stills has a brain and good bank roll. Number rule boxing hit and don't get hit.

[@kennethscott1603]

Looks like Larry had a stroke.

[@Johnkb2059]

He has diabetes 2

[@joys8634]

​@@Johnkb2059that's from his diet lol

[@dariusblue5946]

tell Mr. Holmes is ex girlfriend GINGER JONES passed away April 16, 2020 from Covid

[@MrGMAN0163]

You dry Snitching!

[@dariusblue5946]

@@MrGMAN0163 long time ago

[@bryant51w]

Snitchback

[@johnellis5865]

Love it. Larry homes was a great great HW Champion fighter and also a nice guy. Good for him to be respectful of Gerry Cooney that was also a good fighter, but not as good as Larry Homes. That doesn't make Gerry Gooney a bum or a terrible racist. Good for Larry Homes - we need to inspire our youth Black, White and other to aspire to be great, but also good sportsman. God bless.

[@stevensonchambers5577]

Damn I did not realize then POTUS Ronald Reagan had a phone installed in Gerry Cooney's dressing room to congratulate him if he won, but there was no phone in Larry Holmes' dressing room. Just another example of the rampant racial overtones that surrounded this fight. Fast forward to 2020 and UFC fighter Colby Covington, who is endorsed by Trump, gets his ass handed to him by his Nigerian immigrant opponent Kamaru Usman.

[@ruhap9311]

Yea, kinda telling there. Even as a clueless kid that fight seemed weird. Seemed like they were selling pure race hype.

[@walter1893]

What has trump endorsing colby have to do with the previous comment?

[@collingalanos1783]

Reagan was so hopeful that Cooney would win, he even said Cooney could have lunch with him and Nancy at the White House after he became champion. Holmes wasn't having it, tho.

[@stevensonchambers5577]

@@walter1893 it's self explanatory if you think about it

[@walter1893]

@@stevensonchambers5577 Colby started wearing a maga hat and started talking about trump. Then trump paid attention to that and supported colby. Had nothing to do with race. Trump did the same thing with masvidal.

[@mariaorsic9763]

Larry you are one of the smartest AND in the top 10!!!! The Reagan thing: that’s dirty and disgusting!

[@o4tw382]

Media and fans still does it. Look at Garcia and Davis recent fight. It was built as Black versus Brown.

[@holmes1978]

My Whole Life I admired Mr.Larry Holmes !!!

[@pauldavis1963]

Oh, that is where the idea of "The Great White Hype" 1996 movie.

[@drtroyturner7464]

Not only Holmes. You can go back to Jack Johnson which had the movie The Great white Hope which was remade as The Great White Hype.

[@bigolbabyhuey]

That term (The Great White Hope) started in the early 1900s when heavyweight champion Jack Johnson was beating everybody

[@johnjegs4353]

Watch any Jack Johnson Documentary ......Back when Blacks weren't allowed to compete for the heavy weight title .

[@willieholmes1483]

john jegs, did you know there’s no film showing Johnson’s victory? Someone snatched the film out of the camera before the 10-count was administered.

[@brianm1185]

It's kinda ironic that movie came out the same year the klitschko brothers turned pro.

[@whtpwr]

Ironically , America has been waiting for a great black hope for 20+ years

[@spenser6353]

There’s been a bunch black heavyweight champions. Most of them have been black actually

[@whtpwr]

@@spenser6353 Yeah last century.

[@spenser6353]

@@whtpwr thats why the sport of boxing is dying.

[@gelila.so.prophetic]

He kinda sound like Mike Tyson when he speaks, that slow slur undertone

[@jenniferbaker4889]

Very humble man but dont get it wrong a head buster if you cross him

[@afffflacccck7812]

Gerry coney wasn’t a great white hope he was a very good fighter

[@jeffjones7381]

Tommy Morrison was the legit great white hope for a minute in the early to mid 90s. That left hook was nasty

[@angelareele858]

He was only half white...his mom was native American....

[@travelinben1966]

Larry Holmes, the consummate gentleman and champion.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥊🥊

[@mylessteward688]

Know you cold when you tell a nigga “watch the tape”

[@britishamerican4321]

That presidential-phone-in-Cooney's-dressing-room and introducing-Holmes-first stuff was shameful.

[@Nov24thsFinest]

Vlad I watch your joints but Jerry gets Irish American and Larry gets “Black” which is a color... African American. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@cblk1848]

Naw black is an absence of a color thats why they call us black ...erase our history!!! N yea i caught that from vlad ...irish man you give respect to but not the african americans !!! Facts bro

[@finhyland4270]

Gerry isnt Irish,in Ireland we just see Irish Americans as white Americans,nothing like Irish people,different experience.

[@majikman73]

I remember seeing this match when it first happened. It was a damn good fight. There was so much electricity surrounding it. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet.

Lmfaoo man why dem people messing with him and his wife 😂

[@davidabney7700]

I love this Larry Holmes. Gracious, honest, and respectful of "some" of his major opponents. In Larry's prime years, his left jab was the best in the business! He could put punches in clusters on an opponent. While Larry was fighting though, he stayed angry all the time. He publicly denigrated the great Rocky Marciano in front of Rocky's brother, at a sports interview. Later, Larry apologized, but the damage was done, and very distasteful to many fans of boxing. Larry was angry after both Michael Spink fights. Both fights were close, the second fight,! Larry got robbed. I understood his frustration after that fight, but Larry was angry way before these fights ever happened. This interviewed Larry Holmes definitely boosted his reputation with boxing fans. I salute Larry Holmes, great former Heavyweight Champ!

[@hillkiran]

larry Holmes maybe the best heavyweight of all time. Still Mike Tyson beats him on his best day.

[@jasona9]

Leon Spinks disrespected Larry Holmes wife? What a fool! I remember that fight. No wonder Larry beat him so badly. 'Neon' Leon got his BLOCK knocked off.

[@topsuperseven7910]

This was an early version of proto-wokian 'anti-racism by being racist' nonsense. A certain kind of media would over-exaggerate 'white supremacy' (which was absolutely not most fans or boxers) and the same sorts would instigate this racist slur "great white hope" into something important. Cooney himself was an excellent contender and very worthy challenger in a very strong HW world. He didn't deserve to get downplayed or insulted as some beneficiary of imaginary 'white privilege'. Holmes never talked 'race' and Cooney didn't and that's why I see these two greats as above it all. Great men and not just because of boxing triumphs.

[@ToneRetroGaming]

One of the deadliest jabs in the history of boxing in any weight class. It was literally a cobra strike.

[@TSims873]

Facts....Holmes and Thomas Hearns hold the title of Deadliest Jab

[@TropicalGardenGuy]

NOT What Cooney said. Cooney said Holmes was calling Cooney racist names all through the fight.

[@ruddiato]

Imagine if sphinx kissedd his wife and Larry lost his wife to him..now that would've bn a bigger embarrassment

[@mikemcmanus3918]

I was watching the Holmes-Cooney fight via a theatre with my brother and a loud group behind us was screaming " Kill that n-----! A black man and his wife were getting scared as it was a mostly white crowd watching the fight. I apologized to them and promised to go wiith them when the fight was over to their car. I was disgusted. The couple thanked us.

[@honeysucklecat]

I remember that fight, and all the racists. Didn’t know about Reagan’s special phone. No surprise though, from a republican racism is the norm.

[@deeflow7348]

Smh , Reagan wanted Jerry to beat homes smh

[@doughill3396]

1st time I've heard about the phone. That stuff ain't right. I've always liked Holmes .He was a good boxer not a smart ass.

[@mariothegreat8941]

Larry and Gerry are both nice guy. Larry is classy so underrated but he's among the best. Id still think that he was robbed on his fight with spinks.

[@leiko9]

Larry Holmes is still one of the best

[@peterstelling8306]

Larry Holmes, it appears to me, never gets enough credit for his 48-0 record that he had prior to the loss to Michael Spins. He may actually be the greatest boxer ever, certainly in the top 7-8 of all-time !!!

[@richardprescott5939]

@Salamah Channel Al-Maliki Quran&Hadith I thought he won the Spinks fights. Marciano fought 49 fights in an 8 year span, Holmes in a 12 year span. Today would be an 18 year span. That record would be tough to beat because you would be so old for your 49th fight these days. Holmes was in my lifetime and consistently won. Tim Witherspoon lost a split decision to Larry. That was his toughest fight. He was the best champion that I saw

[@TravelingTal]

1:38 "He was my great white hope, hoping I didn't kill ass" 🤣🤣

[@terryhill4732]

This fight way back in the 1980s is a prime example of how the media tries to keep blacks and whites feuding all the time

[@zakalon123]

Larry is a class act. The gracious way he speaks about Cooney even though he could have hated him with good reason, Read his biography against all odds it is a good read. Should have been one of the greats but that Don King ruined his chances to be better than he was.

[@richardprescott5939]

Cooney didn't do anything to him except give him the big check. One thing Larry Holmes did not do well was sell the fights. This one was a good fight however. Cooney had the power and at the time of this fight, was a dangerous boxer, but after this fight and the money he earned, he didn't have the desire to get back and try again and became a professional opponent. Holmes beat the best Cooney ever was. Holmes was the best of his era.

[@aha3885]

Don King ruined what? Holmes fought vs everbody during seven years, he defended his title 17 times. The casuals and the media always understimated "The Easton assassin", and Don King had nothing to do with that. You know, I guess Don is a terrible person, I never meet him, but too many people looks like the man robbed their souls. But come on, since the 70's, any boxer who ended broke and beaten, blames Don King for everything that went wrong in his life. Take care of your things, man.

[@kidmack3556]

Just another reason I couldn't stand the sight of Ronald Reagan... And still cant! "Oh noooo, reagan's not a racist"

[@anthonyhilton1709]

Racism alive and kicking in ways that's quiet 🤫

[@alexduran1967]

Crazy even in the 80's they were still pushing the race narrative. Shows how far society hadn't come from Jack Johnson's day.

[@henrywilliamsiii9687]

I remember that fight- racist whites came outta nowhere; like when Trump won the White House!!

[@timjespersen3605]

He doesn't sound good but his memory is great.

[@swedenoble6083]

Larry's aging for God sake he did a little more than you guys shouldn't on a pillow on your fat ass on a sofa he fought all his life he grew up tough he's got diabetes real bad but he's not done he's articulate his memory sharp quit judging the man and what he looks like you should see what you look like from the back of your trash it's not a pretty sight 😎😭😉

[@hgslawyer]

It’s shame Holmes didn’t fight a few years earlier during the golden age of heavyweights

[@atenraakhu7416]

That incident of Cooney having a phone in his room connected with the President of the United States, denotes de desperation of the White Society to have a Heavyweight Champion at that time.

[@Aristotelezz]

I'm Dutch, living in the Netherlands, and saw the fight live on German television. It was extreme late, daylight already set in, and at fight time I'd run out of beer. Never, and never again, felt as nervous as in this fight. Later on I learned how close the judges had it. Without the point deductions for low blows Cooney might have gotten the decision. In that case, I would've turned my back on boxing to never see a fight again.

[@MustangMike012]

Larry Holmes beat Michael Spinks both times in my opinion

[@edwarddeitch8886]

It is disgusting to know about the racist shit that surrounded that fight. I don't think Cooney was a racist.

[@RealityCheckTV]

I remember so vividly how Cooney mania swept the country & EVERYONE thought Cooney was going to win easy. A big celebration was expected and we'd FINALLY have this all American white heavyweight champion who would have a long reign and to be so proud of. Even though boxing experts had Holmes favored, he was the underdog in the court of public opinion. I actually followed boxing religiously and felt Holmes was the better fighter & picked him to win. Because I'm white, I got so much flack from other white people for betting against Cooney. They were just shocked and appalled at me. For me it wasn't about race, I was objectively going with who I felt was the superior fighter.

[@Ditka-89]

Watching him hurl personal attacks against Rocky Marciano and his family after his first career loss still makes me laugh. The guy was a character and an amazing fighter. Definitely not given the respect he deserves

[@gregorybush3224]

Yes that definitely was a low moment. He should not have disrespected Marciano.

[@Ditka-89]

@@gregorybush3224 it was totally wrong. But it was hilarious

[@NormanWoods]

Watching this makes me miss my grandfather.

[@whtpwr]

He'd be on queer st in today's heavyweight division.

[@akachiinri]

Don't worry Larry, Regan is in the hottest part of hell.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

who is regan?

[@akachiinri]

@@bobbyhulll8737 Ronald Reagan

[@bobbyhulll8737]

@@akachiinri sure you don't mean White House CHief of staff Don Regan ?

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Reagan was a punk 👎

[@protochris9260]

"Gerry was frightened when he stepped into the ring. He had no defense and a glass jaw.

[@alexduran1967]

Gerry was already tilted by the pre-fight promotion. He was super uncomfortable with the what they did with the race thing. Larry would have beat him no matter what, but to have all that bullshit riding on him couldn't have helped.

[@JayNubi]

Larry was robbed in his fight with Michael Spinks deliberately,in order for him not to break Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record.The racism wasn't just exclusive to the Cooney fight.

[@Dempsey1873]

oh plz

[@donsolis12]

I'm just s glad both fighters looked past that race bullshit and kept it real to the end. Larry Holmes was the most underrated ,under appreciated fighters in history. His jab was second to none and he would make an absolute fool out of todays heavyweights.

[@alainjames9556]

Reagan - what a racist thing to do. Horrible story.

[@eddiesoul4890]

Holmes forgot that even though Cooney was quiet but every time Holmes said something to him all he said was " Tick Tick Tick Tick " Sayin' His time was up...That's what made Holmes mad...Holmes in his mind had to knock is ass out!!! But he's older now and he don't remember the hype before the fight...Cooney was quiet but he was very over confident....

[@jjperez6239]

Listen and listen at me good..Larry Holmes is absolutely one of the greatest boxers of all time he only defended heavyweight title 20 times..20 times only Joe Louis defended 25 times.we never hear of Larry Holmes and this I can't understand..he whipped big name fighters and got off canvas like a true warrior and kicked ass.the most underrated or disliked world champion ever n he only did 20 title defenses..not Ali or foreman or any other heavyweight have accomplished that..Larry Holmes in the top 5 or better..Larry Holmes could fight and box..a true warrior.

[@RedHorseAdventures]

Met Gerry multiple times, a really nice guy and a lot bigger than many would expect.

[@robbybee70]

10 M each in 82, that surprised me

[@kc1973able]

My all time favourite heavyweight. Just loved the guy. What a boxing era that was with Larry as Heavyweight champion and Marvin Hagler the middleweight champion. Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard as the rival Welterweight weight champs man just out of this world. That’s my child hood right there. I’m now 47 and it feels like yesterday. Loved the 1980’s ❤️👌🥊