PRITTY Left Hook: “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney

The Gentleman stopped to discuss his career, addiction, recovery and his new book.

Welcome back to the PRITTY Left Hook podcast where we get real about combat sports. I promise you that I will take a position that will have you either fist-bumping your co-worker in the next cubicle or cursing me out voraciously. I talk trash and get in that ass (pause).

Gerry Cooney is a legend.

The former professional boxing heavyweight is well known for his historic bout against Larry Holmes in 1982 but there is much more to him.

Beginning in the late 1970s, “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney’s professional boxing career was marked by exhilarating fights, exciting wins, and a powerful left hook. In 1982, Cooney landed a lucrative match against world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes on one of the biggest stages in championship boxing. Yet Cooney’s bouts in the ring were nothing compared to the inner turmoil that he dealt with and eventually overcame.

Now the author of “Gentleman Gerry: A Contender in the Ring, a Champion in Recovery” chronicles the career of a boxing legend, the challenges and triumphs of a trauma survivor, and an alcoholic’s journey to sustained recovery. Gerry Cooney and John Grady provide a detailed account of how the former contender went from an abused childhood to becoming a two-time Golden Gloves champion. More than just a biography, this book explores the challenges of surviving difficult moments and overcoming obstacles such as alcohol addiction. The authors also provide historical perspectives of the era and behind-the-scenes insight into the world of professional boxing.

Hear the amazing stories of triumph directly from Cooney himself, as we take a look into Cooney’s life and the lessons he learned.

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