The Gerry Cooney professional pugilistic life began at age 20 on February 15, 1977 - it died on January 15, 1990. Finished with a 28-3, 24 by KO career record - so much for stats.

Since all that glitters isn’t gold, it wasn’t necessarily the undefeated 25 kept appointments with 22 scalps taken, that propelled likable Gerry into that fatal meeting with Larry Holmes on June 11, 1982.

Victims carrying surnames Bill Jackson, Jimmy Robertson, Jose Rosario etc, just doesn’t cut the mustard - so, the Rappaport/Jones combo put their heads together (temporarily) and quickly came up with an answer.

Jimmy Young (KO4), Ron Lyle (KO1), and Ken Norton (KO1) would do just fine, thank you.

Young, once a quality top ranked fighter, showed none of the former skills in his May 25, 1980 encounter with the big Irishman - to his credit he never once hit the deck while being stopped in candle four.

Still, his pitiful performance raised some questions whether the pre-fight exam included a “reflex” test, as Jimmy did little to avoid the onslaught of Cooney left-hand bombs.

Ron Lyle’s turn came on October 25, 1980, and although ranked among the top ten, he was more recognized as an ex-con armed with muscles and a mean look than for any boxing skills.

Probably deciding he had already done enough time in the slammer, Ron provided Cooney with no more than two minutes before falling rather meekly in the opening stanza.

It took a single chorus of “Good nite, Ronnie” for the goon turned lamb to call it an evening. Then the big one with Kenny Norton - the date May 11, 1981, under the big tent at Madison Square Garden.

Credibility came swiftly to Cooney off the sensational manner in which he demolished the highly recognized Norton in round one.

The rest is history - Gerry was stopped by Holmes in thirteen, and then in five by Michael Spinks in his two title fights - and the finale a round two TKO at the hands of big George Foreman on Jan. 15, 90. 

In reminiscing over the rise and fall of Gentleman Gerry, I’m reminded of my late great Grand-dad’s caution back in the 1950s when he commented, “Georgie, if it’s a professional sport, don’t trust it.”

I refer to them Cooney pivotal victories - not his defeats.