Fight Between Spinks and Cooney Reported to Be Planned for Early March in New York

International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Michael Spinks will meet Gerry Cooney in early March, probably at Madison Square Garden, according to a published report.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that promoter Butch Lewis met Tuesday with Garden boxing officials to set up the deal.

“We had a conversation with Butch Lewis,” said Bob Gutkowski, the executive who’s in charge of the Garden’s boxing operations. “He said he’s got the fight and was looking for a venue. He was trying to ascertain our interest. From what I understand, the fight is not predicated on if we can make a deal.”

But the Post quoted sources as saying the Garden “definitely” will be host to the fight, most likely during the second week in March.

A representative for Lewis had no comment on the report.

There was no indication as to what effect the fight might have on the current heavyweight unification series.

“We have a contract for the unification series with the Dynamic Duo (Lewis and promoter Don King) that says the Spinks-Cooney fight can happen as long as the winner comes back into the tournament,” said Ross Greenberg, the executive vice president of Home Box Office Sports.