Cooney Recalls The War at the Shore; and the Battle That Ensued

In the ring against Michael Spinks in one of the biggest fights of his life 24 years ago today, Gerry Cooney was counted out in the fifth round after being knocked down twice — but since then, the Huntington heavyweight has risen far from the mat.

It was 1987 and the aging Long Island native was in contention for a title.

The build-up to the June 15 bout was high and Cooney was guaranteed $5 million for the fight against Spinks, dubbed "The War at the Shore." He seemed primed for a victory against his 30-year-old challenger and a possible shot at an even younger Mike Tyson.

In his younger years, graduate trained at the Huntington Athletic Club. Compiling a 55-3 amateur record with Golden Gloves titles in 1973 and 1976, he turned pro in 1977.

By the age of 30, Cooney, a 6-foot-7-inch, 230-pound power puncher knocked out former world heavyweight champion Ken Norton in 54 seconds at Madison Square Garden in 1981 after beating contenders Jimmy Young and Ron Lyle the year before. Prior to 1987, Cooney's only professional loss was to Larry Holmes in a 1982 title fight at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas.

But a world championship was not to be for Gentleman Gerry.

In front of 15,732 ringside fans at the Atlantic City Convention Center and with others watching in theaters on closed-circuit TV, Cooney was soundly beaten by Spinks.

Cooney says it was the biggest regret of his life.

"I was not the fighter that I really was because of my use of alcohol," said Cooney, from his home in New Jersey on Tuesday. "I was a walking dead man. I did not believe the fight was going to take place, ... it was on, it was off, so many times."

Calling it a nightmare caused by alcohol abuse, Cooney said the Spinks fight came at one of the worst times in his life.

"It took 2 1/2 years for it to happen and I had a tremendous drinking problem during the whole training camp," said Cooney, now 54. "Michael Spinks did not belong in the ring, he was a light heavyweight."

But Cooney's fight did not end with his devastaing loss in that Atlantic City arena. Fortuantely for him, his life began to change soon thereafter with a win in a battle on a different front — alcoholism.

By April 1988, less than one year after falling to Spinks, Cooney stopped drinking for good and says he has remained sober ever since. Now decades removed from what might have have been his biggest defeat, the Huntington hero remains strong.

Living with his wife, Jennifer, and their children in Fanwood, N.J., the former fighter admits he is a changed man since his boxing days but his Huntington ties and message remain as powerful his famed left hook.

"What I promote in Huntington is no drinking, take care of yourself and live your life to the fullest," he said.

Cooney retired as a pro in 1990 with a record of 28-3, including 24 knockouts. He ranks No. 53 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 Greatest Punchers of All Time.