Gentleman Gerry

Gentleman Gerrychronicles boxing legend Gerry Cooney’s career, his challenges and triumphs as a trauma survivor, and his journey to sustained recovery from alcoholism. It provides a detailed account of the difficulties this Golden Gloves champion faced both as a child and adult, offering a compelling exploration of an inspirational life.

Gerry Cooney is a former boxer who emerged as the #1 contender for the heavyweight championship of the world. Ranked #53 on The Ring Magazine's "100 Greatest Punchers of All Time," Cooney fought all-time great champion Larry Holmes in one of the most memorable and anticipated title fights in boxing history. Cooney currently co-hosts "At the Fights" on SiriusXM radio with Randy "The Commissioner" Gordon.

Foreword Randy "Commish" Gordon Acknowledgments Prologue PART ONE: A SURVIVOR EVOLVES INTO A FIGHTER 1: The Earliest Days 2: The Survivor Fights Back 3: From Prospect to National Sensation The Writing Process: A Fan Meets a Boxing Legend PART TWO: EXPLORING POTENTIAL 4: From Prodigy to Pro 5: The Future: An Un-setting Sun 6: Fighting through the Heavyweight Division The Writing Process: Mom, We're Working with Gerry Cooney PART THREE: THE TOP CONTENDER 7: Evolving into a Top Contender 8: Combating the Veteran Warrior 9: It's (Almost) Time The Writing Process: Healing through Giving PART FOUR: THE LEGEND 10: The Prodigy Prepares for Battle 11: A Herculean Destruction of a Legend 12: Aftermath The Writing Process: A Fan Hangs with Gerry PART FIVE: JOURNEYING TOWARD DESTINY 13: Fighting Fame, Egos, but Not the Champ 14: The Dream Becomes Reality 15: Training for the Champ The Writing Process: A Heightened Sense of Urgency PART SIX: THE CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST 16: Fight Night 17: I Belong Here 18: You Can't Hurt Me, Man The Writing Process: Writing at the "Office" PART SEVEN: ENCOUNTERING SEVERE ADVERSITY 19: Breaking Apart 20: A Brief Return to Combat 21: Dead Man Fighting The Writing Process: God Hears All Prayers, but Sometimes the Answer Is No PART EIGHT: LOST LEGACY FOUND 22: Preparing to Rise 23: The Preacher and the Puncher 24: Doing the "Next Right Thing" Bibliography Index About the Authors