28 Facts About Gerry Cooney

Gerald Arthur Cooney was born on August 24,1956 and is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1990.

Gerry Cooney challenged twice for world heavyweight titles in 1982 and 1987.

Gerry Cooney is widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history.

Gerry Cooney's brother Tommy Cooney was a boxer, and reached the finals of the New York Golden Gloves Sub-Novice Heavyweight division.

Gerry Cooney won two New York Golden Gloves Championships, the 1973 160-lb Sub-Novice Championship and the 1976 Heavyweight Open Championship.

Gerry Cooney defeated Larry Derrick to win the 1973 160-lb Sub-Novice title, and Earlous Tripp to win the 1976 Heavyweight Open title.

Gerry Cooney trained at the Huntington Athletic Club in Long Island, New York, where his trainer was John Capobianco.

When he turned professional, Gerry Cooney signed with co-managers Mike Jones and Dennis Rappaport.

Nine wins followed and Gerry Cooney gained attention as a future contender, although his opponents were carefully chosen.

Gerry Cooney believed that skill, not race, should determine if a boxer was good.

Gerry Cooney fought bravely after he was knocked down briefly in the second round.

Gerry Cooney was fined three points for repeated low blows.

Holmes and Gerry Cooney became friends after the fight, a relationship that endured for them.

On December 14,1982, Gerry Cooney fought Harold Rice, the heavyweight champion of Connecticut, in a four-round bout.

Gerry Cooney fought once more that year and won, but personal problems kept him out of the ring.

Gerry Cooney appeared past his prime and Spinks, boxing carefully with constant sharp counters, knocked him out in round 5.

Gerry Cooney was knocked out in a match-up of power-punching veterans in two rounds by former world champion George Foreman.

Gerry Cooney did stagger Foreman in the first round, but he was over-matched, and Foreman knocked him out two minutes into the second round.

Gerry Cooney compiled a professional record of 28 wins and 3 losses, with 24 knockouts.

Gerry Cooney is ranked number 53 on The Ring's list of "100 Greatest Punchers of All Time".

Gerry Cooney, who is naturally left-handed, used an orthodox stance like Oscar De La Hoya.

Gerry Cooney's left-hook is described as one of the most powerful punches in boxing history.

Gerry Cooney was known for not throwing punches at the head, aiming instead for his opponent's chest, ribs, or stomach.

Gerry Cooney founded the Fighters' Initiative for Support and Training, an organization which helps retired boxers find jobs.

Gerry Cooney did not encourage the racially charged promotion of the Holmes vs Cooney match and became good friends with his former rival Holmes in the years afterward.

Gerry Cooney became a boxing promoter for title bouts featuring Roberto Duran, Hector Camacho, and George Foreman.

Gerry Cooney is a supporter of the "hands are not for hitting" program, which tries to prevent domestic violence.

In June 2010, Gerry Cooney became the co-host of "Friday Night at the Fights" on SIRIUS XM Radio.