Philippines, 26 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


HENRY COOPER WHO KNOCKED DOWN ALI, PASSES AWAY


PhilBoxing.com




Former British heavyweight champion Henry Cooper, one of Britain's most popular sportsmen who was best known for knocking down Muhammad Ali while he was still known as Cassius Clay has passed away at the age of 76.

Ali said in a statement "I am at a loss for words over the death of my friend, Henry Cooper. Henry always had a smile for me; a warm and embracing smile. It was always a pleasure being in Henry's company. I will miss my ole friend. He was a great fighter and a gentleman. My family and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones.?

Ali said he visited with Cooper two summers ago during a visit to Windsor.
Cooper dropped Ali, then known as Clay in the fourth round with a patented left hook, the same punch that Joe Frazier used to knock Ali down in their first clash years later. The fight took place at Wembley Stadium in 1963.

Ali?s trainer Angelo Dundee ripped open an already torn glove of Ali and gained some time for the young American to recover which he did and hammered Cooper badly in the next round that the referee had no choice but to stop the bout.

British newspaper reports said Dundee brought a rip in Ali's gloves to the attention of the referee and Ali had time to recover while new gloves were located and brought to the ring.
In a rematch in 1966 at Highbury Stadium in London Ali who was then world champion retained his title by stopping a bruised and bloodied Cooper in the 6th round.

Cooper had a record of 40-14-1 in a 16 year career. He won the British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight titles but never the world crown. He was extremely popular in Britain because of his friendly personality and gentlemanly manner.

Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control said "He's not the only one who wasn't good enough to beat Ali but for such a small man, he put up some great performances in a world-class context. It's not just the boxing and your ability, it's the personality as well. He won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year on two occasions, which is a tremendous feat for a boxer. Everyone called him 'Our Enry,' and he was much loved. He served boxing wonderfully."

Cooper retired in 1971 shortly after losing his British, European and Commonwealth belts to Joe Bugner by a quarter of a point. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

Well known British promoter Frank Warren said "He transcended boxing, He was a true gentleman of sport and had a huge place in the public's affection. He never won the world title but he had true British grit, he tried. His weakness was that he cut very easily."

Cooper also fought heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson.

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye said "One of Britain's greatest sportsmen Sir Henry Cooper passed away today. A true warrior and great human being. Rest in Peace."

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis tweeted: "R.I.P. Sir Henry Cooper. Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion. My deepest condolences to the Cooper family."

WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan told BBC Radio that his compatriot had encouraged him in the early stages of his professional career. Khan said "I met Henry in London a few times. He was very humble, we had a good conversation about my own career and what steps I should be taking. He told me not to rush it as a pro, pick the right fights at the right time. I'm young and there are bigger fights ahead. It was great advice."

Cooper had a twin brother George, who turned professional with him in 1965, He died last year while Cooper's wife of 47 years, Albina, died in 2008 of a heart attack. The couple had two sons, Henry Marco and John Pietro.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
    , Wed, 25 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Ancajas awaits call to join card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Macado fights Dulayba in Venue 88
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • “Showtime” Shea Willcox & Rich Allen turned in KO Performances
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Marco Romero To be showcased on Deontay Wilder PPV card this Friday night in Wichita
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Toro Promotions. Inc. to promote its First International pro boxing show in El Salvador on September 20th
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Completes Dream Season; Whips Indiana in Game 7, 103-91 for First NBA Title in Thunder Era
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Japanese Boxer Jin Sasaki Suffers Memory Loss Following Brutal Knockout in WBO Title Fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Toshihiko Era Becomes WBF Asia Champion at Age 50
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Ador Torres, Renato Cha, Lemuel De Barbo and Ivan Ognayon Score KO Wins in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes with Junior, Youth and Elite Championships
    , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Second Stage of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix Concludes with Great Success: Heavyweight and Featherweight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Miel Ticket: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Shuts Out Kamil Gardzielik
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • WBC Grand Prix super lightweight results from Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Stuns Galal Yafai in Birmingham, Secures Interim WBC Flyweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Jesse 'The Little Giant' Espinas Crowned WBC Asia Super Flyweight Champion in Exciting Knockout Victory in China
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Bantam and Intermediate Champions Crowned on Day Five of USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Filipinos De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha and Torres in Action in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.