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Gentleman Gerry

A Contender in the Ring, a Champion in Recovery

Gerry Cooney author John Grady author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Rowman & Littlefield

Published:22nd Apr '21

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Gentleman Gerry cover

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.

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.

Complete with photographs from esteemed sports photographer Joe DiMaggio and stories directly from Cooney himself, this book offers an unprecedented look into Cooney’s life and the lessons he learned. Fans of boxing, as well as sports enthusiasts and others recovering from addiction, will find Gentleman Gerry a must-read.

Gerry Cooney’s life is a cautionary tale that, with a lot of effort on his part, has taken a happy turn. . . . Gerry Cooney looks back on his life with understanding. He’s happy and satisfied with where he is today. But there’s a tinge of regret that, with all the assets he had to work with, a good career as a fighter could have been better. * The Sweet Science *
4.5 Stars: “[Cooney] pours his heart and soul into his recovery, a larger than life character in boxing. . . . a very poignant book. * Ringside Report *
Gerry Cooney was not only one of the hardest punchers we've seen in the heavyweight division, but also the most loving, sharing, and forgiving human being of all times. Boxing is better for Gerry—just read and see. -- George Foreman, member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Gerry Cooney has always had to fight, both in and out of the boxing ring, and the fact that he's always done so gallantly and admirably is not lost on those of us who know him well. His story is compelling, and John Grady does a detailed job of chronicling all of it, from Huntington, New York, to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Cooney's title fight with Larry Holmes stopped the world. Cooney's story has never been told this thoroughly, this well. It makes for a great read. -- Steve Farhood, boxing analyst for Showtime and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
What an experience for anyone who reads this book. Take this journey through real life struggles, in and out of the ring, of a top heavyweight contender, where you’ll become aware of the “human spirit” of a fighter. -- Jack Reiss, world championship veteran boxing referee and judge
Gerry is a hell of a man. If he would have waited one year later, he would have been heavyweight champ of the world. To me he is a great man and I always liked him and we will always be friends. -- Larry Holmes, member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame

ISBN: 9781538155349

Dimensions: 229mm x 154mm x 25mm

Weight: 513g

344 pages