Who Was the Last Great White Hope in Boxing?
The term "Great White Hope" was used to describe white boxers who were expected to defeat Black boxers and restore white supremacy in the sport. The last fighter to hold this dubious title was Gerry Cooney, a heavyweight from New York City.
Cooney rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning 25 of his first 28 fights by knockout. His aggressive style and powerful punches made him a fan favorite, and he was seen as the next great American heavyweight champion.
In June 1982, Cooney challenged Larry Holmes for the WBC heavyweight title. Holmes was a formidable opponent, undefeated in 48 fights, but Cooney was confident he could knock him out. However, Holmes proved to be too skilled and experienced for the young challenger. He knocked Cooney down three times in the 13th round, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Cooney's loss to Holmes shattered the hopes of many white boxing fans who had pinned their hopes on him to restore white dominance in the sport. He never fought for a world title again, and his career faded into obscurity.
Related Questions:
- Who was the first "Great White Hope" in boxing? Answer: James J. Jeffries
- What year did Gerry Cooney challenge Larry Holmes for the heavyweight title? Answer: 1982
- How many fights did Cooney win by knockout before fighting Holmes? Answer: 25
- In which round did Holmes knock Cooney down three times? Answer: 13th round
- Did Cooney ever fight for a world title again after losing to Holmes? Answer: No
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