Henry Cooper
Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG (3 May 1934 – 1 May 2011) was an English heavyweight boxer. He was undefeated in British and Commonwealth heavyweight championship contests for twelve years and held the European heavyweight title for three years. In a 1963 fight against a young Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali), he knocked Clay down in Round 4, before the fight was stopped in Round 5 because of a cut to Cooper's eye.
Cooper c. 1969 | |
| Born | 3 May 1934 Lambeth, London, England |
| Died | 1 May 2011 (aged 76) Limpsfield, Surrey, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Other names | Our 'Enry |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 55 |
| Wins | 40 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Draws | 1 |
In 1966 he fought Ali for a second time. Ali was then world heavyweight champion. However, Cooper again lost due to an eye injury. Cooper was twice voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and, after retiring in 1971 following a controversial loss to Joe Bugner, remained a popular public figure. He is the only British boxer to have been awarded a knighthood.