Canceled Call

[Ben Bolt]

During the Larry Holmes vs “White Hope” Gerry Cooney fight in 1982, there was this phone with a direct line to the White House, so if Cooney had won, President Reagan could ring him up to congratulate him.

When searching this, I get “yes, it’s true” to “no, just rumours spread”.
While some sources deny the existence of the phone, other sources really try to confirm it did exist - not based on racism (?), but that Reagan shared Irish roots with Cooney.

The truth?

[beez721]

During the Larry Holmes vs “White Hope” Gerry Cooney fight in 1982, there was this phone with a direct line to the White House, so if Cooney had won, President Reagan could ring him up to congratulate him.

When searching this, I get “yes, it’s true” to “no, just rumours spread”.
While some sources deny the existence of the phone, other sources really try to confirm it did exist - not based on racism (?), but that Reagan shared Irish roots with Cooney.

The truth?

I see this thread getting ugly. I wouldnt be surprised if this were true. holmes didnt exactly endear himself to the public by all his bitterness and attitude. it was easy to root against him at that time. not that it makes it right

[Ben Bolt]

holmes didnt exactly endear himself to the public by all his bitterness and attitude. it was easy to root against him at that time. not that it makes it right

Holmes hadn't really get credit for what he had performed up to that day, so his 'bitterness' was in a way understandable.

What really got to me in this vid, is Cooney’s commentaries about how he felt after his loss. The words from his childhood that he was a failure - being revived in his mind after the Holmes loss.

The 1982 battle was the highlight for both fighters. They were the giants of their time, an important part of the heavyweight history.

[$Bullsfam$]

Very good find I would green but itd only turn up gray because a mod red kd me hundred times in a row.

I dont think highly of Larry Holmes but its crazy to think of the hype around this fight. The fact people were so desparate to find somebody to beat him or actually challenge him. Reminded me of Rocky 5 I saw last week where Morrison won the belt but all the media members clowned him lol


Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android

[$Bullsfam$]

Nobody has any insight on the call? Very interesting especially Regan is not respected at all in the black community.


Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android

[Weltschmerz]

So what? Had Cooney upset Holmes, it would have been a nice gesture from Reagan.

[beez721]

Nobody has any insight on the call? Very interesting especially Regan is not respected at all in the black community.


Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android

damn tragic we dont have reagan around today as pres. hed have turned us around by now

[beez721]

So what? Had Cooney upset Holmes, it would have been a nice gesture from Reagan.

it would have also been a nice gesture to have called holmes. not very cool to play favorites when youre a man of power. always loved him as pres tho. he had us on the up and up at the time

[ShoulderRoll]

damn tragic we dont have reagan around today as pres. hed have turned us around by now

Yeah, his deficit spending is just what we need. If we want to get even further in debt that is.

Larry Holmes had a huge chip on his shoulder but I don't think that justifies the president of the United States playing favorites.

[Scott9945]

Yeah, his deficit spending is just what we need. If we want to get even further in debt that is.

Larry Holmes had a huge chip on his shoulder but I don't think that justifies the president of the United States playing favorites.

I was so hoping someone would say this...