Harder Puncher. Wilder or Gerry Cooney

[Sheldon312]

Cooney may be the most underrated puncher of all time. George, Norton, and many others praised Cooney for his punching power. Looking back at the Norton fight, it is clear that he is at least a top 5 puncher P4P. Now Wilder is becoming a puncher that must be put in the conversation. His power is a lot like Cooney's but Cooney could knock you out in many other ways where as long Wilder can only knock you out with a straight right. So based off the "eye test" who really hits harder out the two? And who would win in a fantasy match up.

[juggernaut666]

Cooney was more skilled and had that left hook ,Wilder would struggle with Cooney but i think at 6'7 gets that punch in and rattles Cooney getting the K.O..... Cooney was also rushed in his career had he had enough fights he would have arguably been the guy to beat at some point . I think a long power puncher gets him though , Cooney would not have the reach over Wilder .

They are both basically one armed fighters.

Who hit harder ?I think Wilders over hand right surpassed Cooneys left .

[Jubei]

Which great heavyweights has Wilder stopped in his career? Bunch of cans outside of the top 20.

[Sheldon312]

Which great heavyweights has Wilder stopped in his career? Bunch of cans outside of the top 20.

Most feared man in boxing

[Sheldon312]

Cooney was more skilled and had that left hook ,Wilder would struggle with Cooney but i think at 6'7 gets that punch in and rattles Cooney getting the K.O..... Cooney was also rushed in his career had he had enough fights he would have arguably been the guy to beat at some point . I think a long power puncher gets him though , Cooney would not have the reach over Wilder .

They are both basically one armed fighters.

Who hit harder ?I think Wilders over hand right surpassed Cooneys left .

Interesting. Cooney was also a giant back then. He reminds me of a more rugged Molina

[KillaCamNZ]

Interesting comparison, two massively powerful guys.

Functional power might be a different story though - let's compare when Wilder isn't firing at immobile targets. He can load up, 'cause there ain't no way the Stiverne's of the world are moving.

[club fighter]

I think Cooney because he had better fundamentals, Wilder is KOing these fools just on athletic ability alone, there's not a lot of technique there. That said, if he rises to the top and unifies the belts we can have a good argument about how power & speed can beat scientific boxing.

Funny you bring up Cooney, he & Quarry were mired down in the "great white hope" labels put on them but if you look at both their records, they were only beaten by the best and whooped many top fighters. I could have swore Shavers was going to clobber Quarry, and Jerry took him apart. We all saw the Cooney vs Norton clip.