In The News

Boxing legend Henry Cooper passes away

Boxing legend Henry Cooper passes away

Boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper has passed away. He was 76.

Sir Henry never achieved his dream of holding a world heavyweight title but for his millions of fans this didn’t matter.

He was a former British, Commonwealth and European champion who fought 55 times and was the only British boxer to have won three Lonsdale belts outright..

He will always be remembered for knocking down a young Muhammad Ali [then known as Cassius Clay] in their first fight in 1963.

Ali had never been knocked down before and was only saved by the bell when it sounded as the count reached number 4. During the break his trainer, Angelo Dundee, won the boxer vital extra seconds to recover by creating a commotion over a split in one of his boxing gloves.

The fight was eventually ended because Sir Henry suffered a cut eye.

Afterwards, Ali joked that he had been hit so hard his ancestors in Africa had felt it. 

On the 40th. anniversary of the fight Ali telephoned Sir Henry to chat about their encounter.

In 1966, Sir Henry challenged Ali for the world title but this time the American was able to avoid any major blows and was able to target his challenger’s weak spot around the eyes. Again, Sir Henry’s dreams were to be shattered by an eye injury resulting in the bout being stopped.

Sir Henry was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year on two occasions. 

After retiring in 1971 he went on to enjoy success as a television personality, boxing pundit and as an author. 

Among his television work was his spot as a captain on the BBC quiz show A Queston Of Sport.

Muhammad Ali was among the many people to pay tribute to Sir Henry. 

In a statement the former world heavyweight champion said: “It was always a pleasure being in Henry’s company. I will miss my old friend. He was a great fighter and a gentleman.”

 

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