Living in fear, Cooney learned to fight and suffered from a low self-esteem that would lead to his own alcohol addiction. Grady takes readers from Cooney’s first professional fight in 1977 (defeating Billy Jackson), through his first heavyweight title fight in 1982 (he lost to Larry Holmes) to his final fight with George Foreman in 1990 (he lost by a knockout). Ultimately, Cooney overcame his addiction and founded the Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training, which helps find work for retired boxers. . . . Cooney’s charms manage to shine through in this uplifting story of recovery.

Publishers Weekly

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, Showtime boxing analyst and former editor of The Ring magazine and 2017 Inductee, 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