Larry Holmes vs Gerry Cooney - Highlights (The PRIDE & The GLORY)

#larryholmes #gerrycooney #holmesvscooney
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June 11th, 1982. "The Pride & The Glory" was a historic heavyweight boxing fight that took place on this day when 2 undefeated fighters; power punching challenger "Gentleman" Gerry Cooney and reigning WBC World Champion "The Easton Assassin" Larry Holmes collided on this day in one of the most memorable title fights in history.
Prefight records; Holmes 39(29)-0, Cooney 25(21)-0.
Holmes was the 8-5 favorite making the 12th defense of his WBC Crown that he won back in Jun 1978 against seasoned veteran Ken Norton via SD, in one of the greatest heavyweight bouts of all time.
Larry Holmes' promoter Don King, controversially began campaigning to build public interests while heavily emphasizing on race.
“This is a white and black fight,” King said. “Anyway you look at it, you cannot change that. Gerry Cooney: Irish, white, Catholic.”
The fact here hasn’t been a White man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion for 22 years further elevated the race issue; the last White World Heavyweight Champion was Ingemar Johansson who reigned from Jun 1959 to June 1960.
Cooney’s managers Mike Jones and Dennis Rappaport (known in the media as “The Whacko Twins) fanned the flames as well, implying that Cooney was “White America’s Champion”.
“I do not respect Larry Holmes as a human being,” Rappaport said. “I don’t think he’s carried the championship with dignity. He’s not the white man, he’s the right man,” Rappaport added.
Racial tensions began to rise due to controversial campaigning methods by both camps, where Holmes started receiving death threats with his property vandalized. The Ku Klux Klan staged rallies in support of Cooney to make matters worse.
Holmes began receiving death threats in the run-up to the fight and his property was vandalized.
As precaution, snipers were positioned on rooftops overlooking the outdoor ring.
Cooney had beaten former top heavyweights such as Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle and Ken Norton. However, all of these opponents were well past their bests at that juncture.
On the other hand, Holmes in his 5th year as WBC World Heavyweight Champion had notable wins over Mike Weaver, Roy Williams, Alfredo Evangelista, Rodney Bobick, Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks, Renaldo Snipes, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers (2x).
There were several other issues of note going into the fight;
1) Cooney even as the challenger was featured in the front cover of Time Magazine with Sylvester Stallone and was also in the front cover of Sports Illustrated. On the other hand, reigning champion Holmes was pushed to the inside flap.
2) In anticipation of Cooney’s victory, a special hotline was installed in Cooney's dressing room so he could receive a congratulatory phone call from President Ronald Reagan while no such hotline was installed in Holmes’ dressing room.
3) Ring announcer Chuck Hull announced Larry Holmes (the champion) first before Cooney which is against boxing’s tradition. It was seen as a deliberate attempt to disrespect The Easton Assassin.
Both fighters displayed tremendous fighting heart in the fight, with Cooney proving his devastating power while Holmes’ legendary boxing skills were in full display. Cooney was deducted a total of 3 points for the many low blows he landed.
From the mid rounds on, Holmes started to take command of the fight though he was troubled earlier particularly by Cooney’s body blows. As Cooney continued to be punished, his trainer Victor Valle halted the fight in the 13th frame to save his fighter.
By the time of the stoppage, judges Dave Moretti and Duane Ford only had Holmes ahead by 2 points at 113-111 apiece which were suspicious as Holmes was clearly well ahead considering the 3 point deductions for Cooney. Only Jerry Roth (a substitute for Herb Santos) had Holmes ahead 115-109 which was a far more realistic reflection of what took place.
After the loss, Gerry Cooney repeatedly apologizes to his fans as he felt like he let his supporters down;
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said. "I tried with all my heart."
Hope you guys enjoy this highlight of one of boxing’s most memorable fights of all time!

[@gabrielschoettmer977]

Larry Holmes one of the greatest and most underrated boxers of all-time

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Wrong he fought nobody's.. Or people way way past their time. He was very good but besides basically Cooney the heavyweight div was dead while he was champ. His title defenses were hand picked as well. Always on his terms. Location, ring size etc.

[@cpf55]

Hey asphalt cowboy show some respect! Boxing fans like you that dont have even the slightest knowledge of boxing should have the common sense to be respectful. Did you see Holmes/Norton by chance? You've only exposed yourself as clueless re boxing. Larry Holmes was a GREAT fucking fighter. Now go and apologize to Mr. Holmes!

[@colorado2455]

@@asphaltcowboy7567 what about mccall and holyfield?

[@tonya1425]

danilo degiorgi also best Mercer at a very old age

[@colorado2455]

@@tonya1425 true.

[@rodnelson3492]

I don't care what anybody says, but Holmes is easily in the top five heavyweights of all time. Great boxer, great speed, great chin, good heart.

[@dirtyjew1974]

He's in my top 10

[@rodnelson3492]

@@dirtyjew1974 I could imagine possibly 3 people beating him in his prime -- possibly -- but certainly not any more than that.

[@dirtyjew1974]

@@rodnelson3492 I think there are more than that with a good shot but I still think top 10. Anyone in the top 10 could potentially beat each other for many reasons. At that level its just splitting hairs.

[@rodnelson3492]

@@dirtyjew1974 I think you're wrong. He beat everybody until he got old. I just don't see many people beating him in his prime. Fantastic jab, great boxer, good chin and heart.

[@dirtyjew1974]

@@rodnelson3492 no doubt he was great but a similar argument can be made about many people, not just him.

[@sdprazak]

A prime Larry Holmes, Eddie Futch, and Ray Arcel all in the same corner! That is some kinda team right there!!! 👍

[@luciusmcclendon6338]

WE NOTICED LARRY HOLMES WAS A ROBERTO DURAN FAN &ADMIRER SO WHEN THIS FIGHT CAME HE SAW A NEED FOR DURAN'S MANAGER (RAY ARCEL)

[@mollkatless]

@@luciusmcclendon6338 Larry Holmes would never be a fan of No Mas, Larry would never quit

[@maashmumthaz5754]

Larry holmes was one hell of a fighter. One of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time no doubt. Cooney has great heart and courage and could hit like a truck but he was outclassed by the all around skillset of the Easton assasin

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

Easton Assassin was such a great nickname.

[@ringmasterjeb3453]

As a kid I watched this tape a hundred times. Larry taught me how to beat up the bigger taller bully at school. Love that Larry Holmes !!! Thank you for being born my friend.

[@walboyfredo6025]

Good for you!

[@mikebryant3110]

Mate underestimated Larry for a long time

[@erepsekahs]

Tyson could have taught you far better.

[@fubarin8896]

When holmes was in the trouble he always found a higher gear & stepped over his problems. One of heavyweight's finest ever , maybe the best. Thanks for the upload man.

[@deacontheseer4804]

Yeah I have to respect Holmes though I'm not a big fan.

[@Imisambi]

best #1

[@Imisambi]

Best

[@speigelspike3600]

True but I feel like most people dont like holmes cause he beat Muhammad ali Same goes for Lennox Lewis cause lewis beat mike tyson

[@paulweir5031]

Ali,Liston and Holmes, none of the rest could have taken them prime time.

[@jamiechurchyard5383]

Holmes so underrated

[@sunnytzude2900]

Jamie Churchyard whoever said that??

[@juniorjones5734]

Yup he is very underrated

[@cpf55]

Very underated

[@JeffaHensley]

What the hell does “underrated” even mean?

[@yvans.]

@@JeffaHensley not talk enough

[@jasintosamora1103]

I liked Larry Holmes. I remember reading in 'The Ring' magazine that he would visit sick kids in the hospital. Great fighter, just an all around good human being.👍👍👍

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@Better Than The Beatles and never put down his opponents and trash talked with them badly like ali did Holmes is top 3 definitely

[@Joe-pj6ds]

Ye and this is exactly why it's so sad to see "Mike Tyson beat up Holmes because Holmes hated Ali and was an awful person" whereas in actuality, nothing could have been further from the truth

[@curtismcneil8695]

@@Joe-pj6ds Holmes and Ali got along fine. Larry sparred with Ali in the early part of his career. He Also worked with Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers. The fight with Ali was simply Ali needing money and Don King seeing it as a chance on one side for Ali to make history by trying to win the title for a 4th time and for Larry to get out of Ali's shadow. Larry never really wanted to fight Ali. Larry just wanted to be Larry and make his on way. Muhammad Ali was originally talking about fighting John Tate for the WBA Title when he first announced his comeback but Tate lost to Mike Weaver and then the talk of fighting Holmes started.

[@user-jt3xu1hy6s]

@@theinformationbomber7102 Holmes trash talked Marciano. Marciano never trash talked anybody.

[@JimSmithInChiapas]

I liked Holmes, too, despite his regrettable statements. I saw him as someone who tried consciously to be a decent guy, but sometimes failed to avoid speaking his darker feelings.

[@robertbeightler1473]

Prime Larry Holmes.A thing of beauty.

[@paulsarna5066]

I remember watching this on closed circuit television and was BY FAR Holmes toughest title defense. He was a terribly underrated champion, because Cooney was no bum having knocked out both Norton and Ron Lyle in 1 round and TKOing Jimmy Young in 4. You got to respect the Easton Assassin.

[@peteparry9730]

Norton, Lyle, and Young were all way past their primes and virtually washed up when Cooney beat them. Those victories meant nothing. Holmes exposed his lack of ability. Cooney was tough and that's all. Oh, wait, he did have a hell of a hook to the groin! Holmes was a great champion, Cooney was all hype.

[@joeygonzo]

Shavers was his toughest defense .

[@joeygonzo]

Norton and Lyle were way past their prime then

[@charlesciminera5881]

@@peteparry9730 I saw it too back then Holmes said himself coony was hardest puncherbhe ever fought and could have been great but it appears coony wasn't strong minded like Holmes

[@gregoryingram7561]

But you must also remember when he knocked out those fighters they were already washed out and passed thier prime, it's one of the reason white people considered him the white hope, and against Larry Holmes it wasn't even close of a fight, a lot of people were surprised at how easily Larry Holmes dismantled him.

[@youngdrey1]

Glad tv brought me here

[@josephbutler589]

Me too

[@bobbyhulll8737]

me three

[@adaliafrancisco165]

Meeh FOUR!🚶🚶🚶🚶🐎🇺🇸®uel

[@hudjohns6371]

Oh really.. I was watching Vladtv myself..

[@deniswilson8152]

Howard sucked on this one

[@mr.mendez9378]

Great fight, I remember watching it on closed circuit at the Oakland Auditorium. Holmes was a very good champion, second only to Joe Louis in consecutive successful title defenses. Thanks for the memories.

[@001Geoff]

Without doubt Holmes was a true champion.

[@jesusrobles6816]

i dont think so , he never fought to George Foreman , in my opinion Foreman knock Holmes Out in a devastating fashion

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@@jesusrobles6816 foreman ducked holmes and foreman was a bully who used to intimidate his opponents Holmes wasn't going to be intimidated

[@nathanbosley76]

@@theinformationbomber7102 Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt are lap dogs of Satan.

[@AXL664]

@@jesusrobles6816 Foreman called off the fight tho

[@coldones2143]

Holmes my favorite heavyweight ! When people talk about Cooney and call him a bum and say he had glass chin i laugh and tell them Holmes Happened to Cooney

[@westernmac5944]

Larry had great fighting skills but it was his huge heart and never quit attitude that make him an all time great.

[@Torgo1969]

I was rooting for Cooney back in the day when they fought. Holmes took a lot of hard shots but just kept coming. A tough cookie who had a great run as champ. Glad to see that he seems to have kept his mental faculties intact after his career ended.

[@brianboyle4589]

Remember this fight like yesterday. Cooney was every irishmans wet dream. Was actually surprised by his performance. Thought Holmes would have stopped him sooner.

[@davidbrandel1311]

Brian Boyle I think it was Holmes’ plan to take Cooney into the later rounds knowing the wheels would fall off at some point.

[@darealblair3262]

Ball check?

[@stuartperry1047]

Yes. At the time- there was a lot of racial tension surrounding this fight- and it actually may have affected Gerry more than it did Larry. Remember- at the beginning, Larry was introduced first, instead of last- and he was the champion. It did turn out to be a very good fight- but Larry was in his prime and he was just too good for Cooney. This fight put Gerry's career into a spiral. He was never the same again.

[@nicholasbardoni395]

Cooney was a very hard puncher and good fighter just not good enough to beat Holmes.

[@gorillasquadelite]

@@stuartperry1047 racism cool when they both American but man we got to stick together fighting other countries I can't believe how American is on fury side smdh

[@tallsmile28]

Larry Holmes deserved more appreciation from boxing fans that he got. He had a world class jab. He turned Cooney's face into a bloody mess.

[@bfgtech48]

We will never see heavyweights fight like this again. What incredible era of boxing that was.

[@skip741x3]

Amen brother! that was the Golden era.. we are appreciating how brutal and how much heart these guys had in comparison to to todays fighters.... You just dont see fights like this anymore..

[@Respect12948]

@@skip741x3because now they have more power behind each shot You can’t say wilder doesn’t have heart with how many times he got up against fury And same for fury against wilder Both men would’ve been champions in this era

[@6400az]

Agree, hopefully nwe;ll never see a mismatch like this. This rivaled Homles vs Tex Cobb...SMH.

[@johnjamele]

we need to go back to 15 round championship fights.

[@fuckzogtube]

@@6400az I don't think this was really a mismatch. Larry was just a great boxer, Cooney was basically a one trick pony that got carried by his nuclear left hook and courage to take a beating from the monsters of his era. There is a reason why Larry almost got a win ratio close to Rocky Marciano, he pretty much could win against anyone he was facing during the peak of his career.

[@donjohnson3888]

Holmes had every skill a heavyweight champ could ask for. Cooney just had a big left hook. He was out of his league here.

[@rotichawal6697]

Thanks to Ali

[@337Brian]

Don Johnson @Don Johnson I must admit Gerry put up a real good fight. The fight went pass 12rds with both fighters at war!!! Much props for The Eastern Assisin the man who should have beat Rocky Marciano perfect 50 record with his fight against Spinks!!

[@johnshogskins4443]

Evenly matched, but Holmes was tougher and smarter.

[@seaverrene6486]

Don Johnson. Clooney also had a big heart

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Wrong cooney was a GOOD fighter. Even the miz bitter self promoting Holmes admitted he was and that he hurt him a couple x in the fight. Holmes said Cooney hit him along with shavers the hardest he EVER was hit. And Holmes gave NOBODY credit..

[@kimurajack8364]

I've always loved Holmes's jab. So fast and impossible to see.

[@gerardolopez4318]

watched 100s of title fights in my life, this is still the only time ive ever seen the challenger get introduced 2nd when 99.99% of the time its reserved for the champion. we all know who the country, networks and promoters were going for that night. Thank you Larry

[@vestibulate]

I don't know whether it was through intention or his lack of boxing finesse, but Cooney fouled early and he fouled often. He was given every consideration by Mills Lane, who could have easily stopped the fight- it was that bad. But you know the story- Great White Hope bullshit. Holmes came through exactly as he planned, but it was fairly ugly.

[@PatkaBoy831]

cry about it

[@potentially__9445]

O'Haire DENY it...

[@wraithstrongopark]

@@PatkaBoy831 lol who's crying? holmes whipped him in spite of it all.

[@Respect12948]

Spite of nothing Favouritism doesn’t effect the match There’s no disadvantage to Larry here you just want to make something out of nothing

[@andrebrown4152]

Props to Cooney for not quitting. Props to Mills Lane for recognizing a beaten fighter.

[@ralphhester2457]

Low blows, Cooney should've stayed in his league but they got him almost killed... looking for the white hope...

[@danlalor623]

@@ralphhester2457 yes it's a pity there is so much white hope now since the Eastern European boxers have taken over in this new wave of boxing.. Loma and usyk are the best iv seen for many many years . Tyson fury also

[@ralphhester2457]

@@danlalor623 who have they fought? like Haney day no white boys gonna beat him.white hope is white joke... you're white too...

[@danlalor623]

@@ralphhester2457 im not white but that's irrelevant. White boxing is on the rise and you know it . Im not hiding it no More . Since Russia and parts of eastern Europe started giving freedom to Their boxers there is a non stop flow of the pricks

[@ralphhester2457]

@@danlalor623 I don't know white fighters are on the rise,if a fighter is good nothing can change that but it's politics in all areas of life... I'm glad to see them Harleys pushed to fight brothers, they're stiff non athletic, can't take a punch... anybody can punch but can they take a punch, suspect chins...level the playing field, random drug testing most of the Russian, eastern European fighters like Ricky Hatton get exposed when matched against natural athletes...

[@DinamiteBarese]

Cooney could hit like a truck, but Larry was far superior in every other aspect

[@richbrake9910]

When Cooney hit Holmes in the body, you could hear it (splat) so Holmes must have been in great shape to take that type of a beating from one of the hardest hitting boxers ever.

[@pauloskidane2819]

Rich Brake Cooney got him low a few times

[@nickcasper8868]

@@pauloskidane2819 beltline is not considered low, I seen one that's questionable maybe.

[@nickcasper8868]

@aaron pryor the fact u think someone's pink is hilarious in its self and shows ur intellect,I feel no need to even call u a RACIST.

[@mdluk199]

@aaron pryor Your comment hasn't aged well after Fury battered Wilder to a pulp

[@aknozturk1991]

The constant winner is Don King. I never saw him in grief after any fight.

[@jayt620]

that creepy grin , always hovering behind the fighter

[@bobbyhulll8737]

All he wants to do was promote ... make people want to come see it .. the belts are secondary ..boxing is irrelevant to him

[@donjohnson3888]

Disgusting, repulsive, highly intelligent man that Don King. It's too bad he's so sleazy. He's brought us some great fights.

[@patrickcalvin5272]

Remember one of Don King's mottos, "I might come with the loser, but I'm leaving with the winner" 😁

[@deanladue3151]

The reason why Larry vacated his WBC title after KOing Marvis Frazier in 1983. Holmes was fed up with Kings BS.

[@zoo05zoo]

Cooney might actually be the champion in today's heavyweight division. He actually had half decent boxing skills and could punch. It goes without question that Holmes would easily be the champ and probably undefeated.

[@renebaills6168]

Cooney was a true boxer and was very brave ,at this moment Larry Holmes was the easton assassin!

[@v6monza535]

rené Baills Cooney had the power but he was just a little too slow

[@pjtheory]

The laughable scorecards put forth by Ford/Moretti, coupled with Cosell's lackluster rendering of the fight, obscured the masterful performance by Larry Holmes. Holmes followed the advice of two of boxing's greatest trainers (e.g., Eddie Futch and Ray Arcel) to a tee. For most of the fight, Holmes moved to his left, blocked Cooney's wide punches, and kept his elbows in when Cooney went to his body. Neither Ford nor Moretti nor Cosell seemed to see and/or acknowledge the effectiveness of the greatest jab in boxing history. There have been fighters with quicker or heavier jabs, but Holmes is the only fighter to use the jab as both a speed and power weapon. Larry's also demonstrated his adaptability by outslugging the slugger in the 10th round. The 10th round took everything out of the much younger Cooney, and Holmes then took Cooney apart in the final 3 rounds. By any measure, this Larry Holmes was one of the top 3 heavyweights of all-time.

[@shanesolar3924]

Wrong

[@Rayburn58]

@@shanesolar3924 Explain how Philc is wrong.

[@Rayburn58]

Exactly correct. Larry Holmes ducked no one. Ali ran from Holmes from the mid 70's. I don't believe there was ever any heavyweight in history greater than Larry Holmes. He was undefeated in the greatest era in heavyweight boxing history. Holmes dodged no one. Ali fought a rag tag leon sprinks who was only 8-0 and ducked Larry Holmes who at the time was 26-0. Ali was chicken of Holmes, the evidence is quite clear.

[@shanesolar3924]

@@Rayburn58 Ali ducked nobody in his prime, he fought Holmes when he was already seeing visible signs of Parkinson’s. He should’ve stopped fighting 3 or 4 years earlier.

[@shanesolar3924]

@@Rayburn58 he did not block most of cooneys outside hooks and the fight was much closer than people claim. Holmes just had the bigger gas tank that night

[@noelwhitman1788]

Holmes was the last truly great heavy weight as far as legendary goes. In my view the succession of heavyweights from the old years ended with Holmes. There have been great fighter since but Holmes never dodged anyone. He even had to get off the canvas to finish a couple. He had it all.

[@75aces97]

Yeah, Holmes gets so little respect for a champ who held the belt for so long. It's underappreciated that He took on all comers, whenever, wherever.

[@75aces97]

@mustafawee Lewis kept stalling against Bowe and Holyfield.

[@WilliamGarrow]

@@75aces97 It was Bowe who was ducking Lewis. Bowe gave up the title rather than fight Lewis.

[@75aces97]

@@WilliamGarrow he did? That changes my opinion if so. Sometimes you remember stuff wrong as years go by. Bowe took a few shots at Lewis in the press. I always wanted to see Bowe-Lewis back around 1994 and we never got it.

[@WilliamGarrow]

@@75aces97 Yeah he actually threw the WBC belt in a trash can. It was definitely a fight that should have happened. It should have been a trilogy of fights. This is the video of him doing it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIicqneZgcqMY8U

[@kennethbadon9677]

I have alot of respect Jerry Cooney.One of my favorite boxers

[@halleck3]

Gotta love Howard Cosell. Cosell: "Holmes doesn't have the strength left!" *Holmes knocks Cooney down*

[@wraithstrongopark]

howard was past it at that point. way past it. he was like jimmy the greek in that the network was looking for a reason to get rid of him. unfortunately for them, he was teflon.

[@patrickcolon8809]

2 of the 3 judges for this fight actually had Cooney ahead after 12 rounds, not including the 3 penalty points that were deducted from him for low blows. Incredible. In addition to the reality of Holmes winning more rounds than Cooney did, Holmes also should have had two 10-8 rounds (the 2nd, in which there was a knockdown, and the 6th, in which Holmes had Cooney flailing around the ring near the end of the round.)

[@gavinjames5271]

Homes had possibly the greatest jab I've ever seen

[@duhbigcat1848]

it struck like a cobra

[@lemontadams3029]

The best

[@trentcleghorn6840]

I was in the USAF at this time and it was widely reported that before the fight the president RON Reagan called the Challenger Cooney and wished him luck. At the time there was a popular Rocky movie out and Cooney was what America wanted. But Larry learned his trade working as a sparring partner for ALi Frazier and SHAVERS he was A beast

[@ayudatech2599]

Después de Alí, en los super pesados, el boeador que más me impresiona es Larry Holmes. Tremendo boxeador.

[@anthonybrown3481]

Damn. I have to get Cooney credit for staying on his feet at the end. Holmes was hitting him with some blows that came so fast you could hardly see them.

[@jasintosamora1103]

The fight was never close. Holmes had his way all along. If I remember correctly they tried to rob Larry of his title.

[@rockabye_baby187]

I dont know what you saw but Cooney fought a solid fight before stoppage. He definitely wore on Larry. He could barely raise his arms to strike before stoppage

[@stevecvino]

Holmes right hand to Cooney's face was so consistent, it was there all night and were watching the highlights. The only time I ever seen someones face get hit to one side so much is when Frazier's left hook stamped Ali's right cheek.

[@Ffeoli1039]

@@stevecvino spot on

[@stlrockn]

Cosell's blow by blow call always added to the excitement...

[@williamdavies391]

Coony was very very underrated but Holmes was a truly great heavyweight.

[@arautus]

This was a great fight that Jerry Cooney never recovered from. These days it would have gone to a decision and it would have been close.

[@jacktheripoff1888]

Holmes is a classic example of not knowing what you are missing until it's gone. Skill, courage, toughness, and ring savvy. It was all there. Did some his greatest fighting under severe adversity. Refer to fights with Witherspoon, Norton, Weaver, and Shavers for references. He was disliked for following Ali, and despised by some for beating him. It wasn't his fault. Ali wanted that fight that he never should have taken, or been given to him. But it was given to him because he was Ali. Larry could have killed him. But he just kept winning rounds with a sustained and restrained fight until Dundee mercifully stopped it.

[@damatoslegacy9075]

I'm irritated by how many slander Holmes for taking the Ali fight. It was a no-win situation for Larry. Had he not fought Ali he'd be forever labeled a *'coward.'* At that point, Ali was not only physically broken, he was outright delusional and living in-denial regarding his deteriorating neurological health. He was kidding himself and everybody else to think he stood a chance against Holmes. If anybody should be held responsible for that massacre, it's the so-called 'expert' doctors, who best case scenario, were dubious and incompetent and worst case, criminally negligible.

[@ederfonseca9609]

​​@@damatoslegacy9075 but Ali's physician pledged him to stop and even resigned over Ali's unwillingness to hear his advice. Ali went to Mayo clinic and got the "certification" that he was ok and so on, but he was well warned about the risks and his already deteriorating health. If one is to be blamed, is Ali himself. Ironically, one of the most clever individuals to ever live was not wise at all. As for Holmes, he just did his job. And we must thank God he did it very well and consciously, because he could easily kill Ali at that point in time.

[@deanladue5367]

It was Alis ego that led to the match with Holmes.

[@SpencerjonesBoxing]

Love this era and the commentary, simplicity of the ring and crowd .great fighters

[@lauriecaspoli5001]

Larry was soooo good. A young Holmes was great to watch.

[@butchbartlett7885]

Wow! I had forgotten what brutal fight this was. Cooney was better than I remembered , but Holmes is one of the Greatest.

[@robertsullivan7835]

Holmes was a great fighter.. the left jab everyone talks about was a real weapon but he had every punch in the book. This fight it was the right hook that took Gerry apart. This was a good scrap.

[@itsmythang4177]

Even Mike Tyson said that if Larry Holmes would've had enough time to train for him it would've been a completely different fight. Put some respect on Larry Holmes name damn it.

[@palereaper]

Great highlights

[@memorosales1952]

edited version made the fight look closer than it was. Holmes dominated the entire fight.

[@funkpill]

Yup

[@kawirocket88]

Holmes is one of the few that didn't wind up with dementia pugilistica. Also, I think he was somewhat smart with his $$ even though Don King screwed him out of a majority of it? Lastly, if 1988 Larry Holmes fought Tyson at his 81/82 peak, it may have ended much differently?

[@bhuttasingh1607]

Great human being I met Larry holmes Lots off love one off the greatest heavyweights off all time top 5

[@opencurtin]

Gerry Cooney looks like a young Rock Hudson , he sure earned his 10 million there !

[@itsthehouse8462]

Damn. They put everything behind there white hope and he still came up short. Holmes is a fucking legend.

[@robertwatson4022]

He’s a fighter not a white hope. Their both fighters Holmes was very underrated he was a great fighter and cooney was good also just the establishment tried to make him something he wasn’t.

[@337Brian]

True comment.. Cooney in no way is a racist..

[@ironmike-putsallkindavideo7840]

Most of the 1980s HEAVYWEIGHTS were UNDERRATED, because the 80s had a lot of Tough Heavyweights, it was PRIME MIKE TYSON who eventually came along and made them look weak because he was beating them so easy. Perfect example, HOLMES struggled to beat TREVOR BERBICK, TYSON easily destroyed BERBICK in 2 rds . HOLMES struggled to beat CARL WILLIAMS, TYSON destroyed CARL WILLIAMS in 1 rd. HOLMES struggled to beat BONECRUSHER SMITH, TYSON easily beat BONECRUSHER and made him look like an Amatuer. HOLMES lost twice to MICHAEL SPINKS, TYSON destroyed SPINKS in 1 rd. And those are the examples of how PRIME TYSON made the same 1980s HEAVYWEIGHTS look like "BUMS" that gave HOLMES hell in the ring.

[@andrebrown4152]

Yes and No... He probably didn’t set out to become the “great white hope” but White America (no disrespect intended) made him into that. Cooney has pressure beyond the normal fighter. It wasn’t fair to him. That being said, there’s a little racism behind that cheer-for-the-white-guy mentality. Just look at the crowd’s reaction when he beat Norton.

[@peterbalac1915]

@@ironmike-putsallkindavideo7840 Holmes was 38 way past his prime, the wheels fell off with buster Douglas, holyfield ect I've a funny feeling this is where the excuses are a out to start.

[@ederfonseca9609]

To me Holmes is the best example of speed-power balance in a HW champ. He has top notch mobility, technique, physical pace, tactics and mind. Hes not particularly the best at any department, but world class level in everyone. A complete boxer and easily one of the best and finest HW champs ever.

[@worldpeace3363]

Awesome fight ! True Gladiators

[@jimberlygridder183]

Damn I never realized how large of a man Cooney was until i watched this....Actually i never really watched Cooney. ...but he was good. But the great Larry Holmes is def one the underrated fighters of all time. If he wouldnt of came in at the time he did...right as Ali was going out...and right before Tyson was coming in...He might have been more popular and his greatness might have been more recognized properly.

[@lordburlap4514]

Larry Holmes is one of the best heavyweights of all time....if Gerry had developed his right hand, he might have been up there too.....

[@joeygonzo]

Met Gerry last July after the Pacquiao-Thurman fight. He was kinda surprised anyone recognized him. Me and my brother had a picture taken him him. He was very nice. Then again I threw out some of his victims' names and told him I enjoyed those fights ( Young, Norton and Lyle ). Gerry should have really fought Weaver instead of Holmes.

[@anonymousdude4011]

You are so right! I felt that way back in the 1980(s). I think that Gerry would have caught Weaver early.

[@antoniovela4125]

Holmes had great defensive n offensive skills…one of the greats

[@stumarston6812]

Howard is something else. Holmes is teeing off on him in the 13th, just nailing Cooney and Howard says Larry just doesn't have much strength in those punches. Then Cooney goes down. Good job Howard.

[@vincentfisher1603]

This Holmes would have given Mike Tyson so many problems.

[@daveyboy_]

The only problem was that he woulda got KO'D in the 5th

[@daveyboy_]

@Street Hawk Cus D'amato ( if you read Tyson's book , Iron Ambition ) said that he believed a 15 yr old Tyson would have beaten Holmes .

[@daveyboy_]

@Street Hawk yeahhhh, now i know that you have no idea what you're talking about . Floyd Patterson better than Tyson ?

[@daveyboy_]

@Street Hawk and so u believe that Lennox Lewis ( who hadn't yet even competed in the Olympics) at the moment he turned pro , would beat the undisputed world champion? That's what your saying right .

[@mike62mcmanus]

what a battle.... I had forgotten.

[@l.cruces2223]

Cooney was game, but 3 things that got Larry the win. Larry was a better boxer, he had a real good chin and he took him in the trenches.

[@mjjohnson9925]

Contrary to some belief, Cooney was not a bum. I think they rushed him into fighting one of the top 7 heavyweight ever at the peak of his powers. Plus, the weight of "America" as his trainer ignorantly put it was on Cooney's shoulders. All that was too much to overcome.

[@ederfonseca9609]

Definitely not a bum, a serious contender with fearsome power.

[@martytaylor7043]

Marciano and Larry been a good fight

[@sheanstocks4491]

Waaaaaaaay underrated!!

[@jclbuxfan]

Larry Holmes was one of the best boxing heavyweights ever . As fast . And that jab was ferocious.

[@ElRAyADPrZ]

I’m here after Larry Holmes said wilder and the heavyweights now I’m days would not match up with the ones back the day, he’s right !!! Way better fight then wilder vs fury

[@texasentertainmentnetwork3777]

Cooney showing aspects of Rocky! Only Howard Cossell man...good stuff!

[@eoinbrennan3949]

How I'm I only seeing this now? What a wild fight

[@kraigwilliams5697]

I remember ABC aired that fight on a Friday night back in 82. I was 13 years old and was a big Holmes fan. It was a super fight almost every other month back then. Boxing era in the eighties was great in the eighties

[@user-wu2xo6nt3r]

When hypejob meets reality. That victory was very satisfing for Larry.

[@robertaucoin4044]

remember THE HARDER THEY FALL ?

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Both of you DOPES have no idea what your talking about or your RACIST. Even Holmes said Cooney was good and that he hurt him bad a couple times.

[@reinaldomanuel8488]

@@asphaltcowboy7567 sit down white boy.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

@@reinaldomanuel8488 well if Holmes is as good as everyone says he was and I agree , then good on Cooney for staying in there for 12 rounds ..

[@jimmyp2674]

@@reinaldomanuel8488 Sit down brown boy. You Hispanics suck at heavyweight and we run heavyweight now

[@ericeny2796]

Holmes destroyed this dude.

[@marqelliott9198]

This dude? What a fool you must be.

[@josephstraw6224]

Respect to both men. Both excellent fighters with big hearts

[@rubenmejias7302]

One of Holmes best performances no douht Larry Holmes one of the greatests of all time

[@jeffmejia3556]

Cooney one of the few heavyweights that dug consistently to the body. He went upstairs, downstairs. Not many heavies do/did that. Cooney was about two or three fights away from being ready to challenge for the Heavyweight crown. Unfortunately when you rush a fighter as Cooney had been you risk ruining him. That’s what this fight did-ruined his career. If you were old enough to remember Cooney put up a better fight than what was expected of him. Ended up being a good fight.

[@KTF0]

Cooney did needed to work on his defense, but, his strategy was very sound for this fight. Destroy the body to slow Holmes down to KO him. Holmes had too many tricks in the bag for Cooney and he could fight through adversity and the deep waters.

[@johnjamele]

Cooney earned his title shot DURING his title shot.

[@ellischaney]

“..That’s where Cooney’s inexperience shows...and the fact he’s not a good boxer” Haha..i’m sure Cooney’s corner said “gee, thanks Howard” lol

[@patrickrenteria7416]

Yea but Cooney showed guts..holes is a bad ass

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Your a DOPE. Even Holmes said Cooney was good. You moron.

[@ralphhester2457]

Cosell say it was getting sloppy,code word for Cooney getting killed,then he stated how Cooney got rushed being 25yrs old blah,blah...critics

[@PopO51968]

People don't seem to understand just how good Larry Holmes was

[@davidmathews2599]

What a great time to be young. I remember being at the local watering hole watching this fight on TV. May have been on pay per view. The good old days.

[@joeygonzo]

1:57, freaking Cooney came up with some left hooks after getting hurt and stunned Holmes right before the bell.

[@vincentrobinson9645]

This was one helluva fight. The biggest since the last Ali Frazier fight .

[@Jpeterson7]

The heavyweight boxers now can't hold a candle to these guys.

[@bryanolson3578]

Thank you for the upload. I watched Larry Holmes fight on HBO in the 80s. Does anyone recall when he thumb punched Tex Cobb in the eye?

[@DeCurtaRican]

Prime Holmes would have beaten Tyson.

[@craigsimons817]

Watching Holmes here at his peak leaves me wandering how Mike Tyson would have fared against him. Holmes left jab was the best of any heavyweight and his hand speed was decent. What a fight it would have been.

[@lofaygang5822]

Watch holmes vs berbick it still doesnt convince me he wouldve beaten tyson tyson was juss a animal at that time

[@deanladue5367]

If you watched Tysons match against Douglas, very early Douglas did something that no other fighter had done against Tyson. He established his jab, and it was a hard, snapping jab that scored points and set his range on Tyson. That jab reminded me alot of the Holmes jab.

[@gl6996]

Both Larry Holmes and George Foreman said Gerry Cooney hit them as hard as they'd EVER been hit in boxing.

[@hdvictoryford5329]

I remember watching this fight. The hype, the mind games and the actual fight itself. LH lives right down the road from me. He is probably the most under rated hwt of all time. However, in this fight he really got into GC's head. GC was more concerned about going the distance that fighting his fight. And LH's strategy worked and worked well. After the fight on his way to the dressing room. LH commented on just how good GC was, and how lucky he was to win. GC caught and hurt Holmes during the fight and the great finisher did not realize his opportunity and missed the boat. GC was a great hwt himself and it was too bad he had a drinking problem that he could not control.

[@Subscribebytch]

Who’s here after the Vlad interview?

[@bobbyhulll8737]

yup

[@cleazy______5624]

I'm here during paused to watch

[@MarkWhippy]

But did you see the Michael Franzese testimony where he says this fight was fixed? Wish Vlad would have asked him about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4apgGitmMermqM

[@Rendezman562]

a true super fight! Cooney had a lot of heart tho!

[@fizzypop8937]

Great fight Larry Holmes hand speed was amazing. Holmes would have destroyed Mile Tyson in his Prime. Larry was very underated.

[@stlrockn]

You can see why George Foreman would never fight Holmes.

[@omega7722]

@@stlrockn because they were in diffrent eras?

[@stlrockn]

@@omega7722 On the contrary, They tried to make that fight when George made his comeback and George turned it down. Even at an advanced age George wanted no part of Holmes. Big George had trouble with good boxers. Look at what Jimmy Young did to him ( when George was a young man) and Jimmy wasn't much of a puncher. Holmes could hit.

[@omega7722]

@@stlrockn evidence? And which era? 70s? 90s?

[@stlrockn]

@@omega7722 The 90s era was when that fight was proposed... I have been following boxing for 50 years. They wanted to make Holmes/Foreman...George wasn't interested or it would have happened.

[@stevejurado8069]

Got much respect for these two heavyweight giants,back in the 15 round days .WOW.

[@davidwood1923]

Larry was an Amazing Fighter... Thanks for Sharing

[@chrispressley9129]

I Seen this live and Clooney is fucking tough💪

[@soulsergeant]

That Jabb

[@jaayeee24]

Fast as lightning 🌩!

[@s.a.l.te.p.c8187]

What a fight!

[@philemonmatloga4961]

I miss this kind of boxing. Pure war.

[@lordburlap4514]

Larry Holmes is one of the all time great heavyweights.

[@bhebhamashinga6]

Holmes! Holmes!

[@lifestylemodificatio]

Dropping Dem old school bomz!