Reflections On The Great White Hope 30 Years Later
By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Correspondent
*All Photos Copyright Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media, All Rights Reserved
New York, NY– By winning 24 consecutive fights in a row, Irish Gerry Cooney in and of himself was nothing special, until the media got wind of the hype surrounding ‘The Great White Hope’. The forgotten title came into the English language when retired undefeated World heavyweight champion James Jeffries was dug up out of retirement to try to topple Jack Johnson from his heavyweight perch, but got knocked out in the fifteenth round of their July 4, 1910 confrontation in Reno, Nevada.
30 years ago, and 72 years after James Jeffries fought Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant, Gerry Cooney knocked out former World Champion Ken Norton in the first round. Gerry Cooney, ‘The Great White Hope’, reached an astounding 25-0, with all but three of his opponents knocked out. Ken Norton had lost the World Boxing Council World Heavyweight title to Larry Holmes by 15 round split decision before fighting Cooney. The Great White Hope was laying waste to black heavyweight.
Newspaper and television propaganda went wild for a proposed bout with World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, The Easton Assassin, and the media went into a frenzy. Promoter Don King had a field day, and prefight hype triggered a worldwide sensation. Cooney’s camp looked like the Rocky III circus.
Larry Holmes versus Gerry Cooney Complete Fight on YouTube, 1 hour 13 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s2rOOocTXs
For 13 rounds, the world watched the most overhyped boxing extravaganza ever.
Not until Cooney’s trainer Victor Valle entered the ring at 2:52 of the thirteenth round would the fight be stopped by referee Mills Lane, who thought Cooney well enough to give him another chance as Cooney held on to the ropes taking a standing count. The date: June 1, 1982. The place was Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada. And Larry Holmes finally had to face Gerry ‘Looney’ Cooney as he called him.
Cooney had three points deducted on the scorecards for throwing low blows. Two judges had Holmes ahead only 113-111, meaning without the point deduction, Cooney would have been ahead going into the thirteenth round, and even if he lost the thirteenth and fourteen rounds, could still take the title from Holmes by winning the fifteenth round. But it was not to be. And so it was. Over 30 years ago.
Today, Gerry Cooney and Larry Holmes are friends. As The Beatles sing, Let It Be, Let It Be, Let It Be, Let It Be. I’ve Got Some Words of Wisdom, Let It Be.
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