Popular English 1950-60s heavyweight contender Henry Cooper passed away today at the age of 76 (two days shy of his 77th birthday). Cooper was a former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion (holding the British and Commonwealth belts for 12 years) and also challenged Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1966.
“Our ‘Enry” as he was known to the British public represented Great Britain in the 1952 Olympics, losing his first fight and then turned pro in 1954. Within three years Cooper had already fought for the British, Commonwealth and European titles (he lost his European title bid to future world champion Ingermar Johansson) but was unsuccessful in all three attempts. From 1958-1961 Cooper went 8-1-1, in the process winning the British and Commonwealth titles, avenging previous losses to Joe Erskine, and beating contender Zora Folley before he lost a rematch with Folley. Cooper made two more defences of his titles before he fought young contender and 1960 Olympic gold medallist Cassius Clay (as he was then known) in what was his most famous bout.
After being outboxed and cut during the first three and a half rounds, Cooper landed a thudding left hook with seconds remaining in the fourth to drop Clay heavily. Clay beat the count but was clearly out on his feet. His corner used smelling salts to revive him in the corner and Angelo Dundee claims to have torn open Clay’s glove, forcing the referee to have to change it which delayed the start of the fifth round and gave Clay time to recover. Clay forced the stoppage due to the cuts in the following round. He was later quoted as having said that “Cooper hit him so hard his ancestors in Africa felt it.”
Cooper won his first European crown against former foe Brian London and went 6-2 over the next two years to earn a rematch with Clay (Ali). This time Ali fought smarter, keeping Cooper on the end of his punches and again stopped him on cuts, this time in round six. Cooper was knocked out in his following fight by fomer champion Floyd Patterson but was undefeated from 1967-1970, regaining the European title and further defending his British and Commonwealth titles. His last fight came in 1971 when he lost his titles to up and comer Joe Bugner by controversial decision. His final record stood at 40-14-1 (27 KOs).
One of the great British champions and also one of the great boxing personalities. May he rest in peace.
