I know I'm a bit late with the Cooper appreciation threads but, better late than never. He's one of the most entertaining fighters in the ring, he had absolute wars with Moorer, Holyfield and Mercer and probably others I haven't seen but which one is the best RIP champ
Hard to choose, honestly, but Cooper - Holyfield is REQUIRED viewing. His win over DeWitt is very satisfying too.
In his later years he absolutely destroyed a young prospect named Ritchie "the Bull" Melito who came into their fight with a record of 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Bert put him away in the first. Also his tko over Joe Hipp was very impressive, Hipp was game but Cooper's punches swelled his eyes shut and his ko over another one time prospect Tony Fuliangi, was impressive as well.
Agree. Watch the 1st round and tell if you think Cooper had the victory if he had jumped on MM, went to a neutral corner without hesitation
I personally will always be grateful for Cooper ending the myth of "The Bareknuckle Champ" Joe Savage.
There was a myth behind that guy before the fight? Could you elaborate a bit? (I'm a yank so watching him get his ass whipped by Cooper is all I've ever seen or heard of him.)
Mercer Moorer then Holy in that order for my liking. While the Moorer fight was a thrill ride. Mercer fight was brutality at its best.
I think he was just a famous bouncer or as there called over there doormen or hard men. That guy wasnt even on my skill level lol lol...I saw Bert spar a couple times. I wouldn't want to #### with him at any time TBH...he was a bad man RIP
I'd agree with this. I don't understand people upvoting the Holyfield fight over the Mercer fight. He landed a few solid punches against Holy, had him in trouble for a bit, let him off the hook and then got beat down. I've never seen Cooper more relentless, tougher and as conditioned as he was against Mercer. If there was any justice in the world that would have been a title unification fight and they both would have walked away from it multimillionaires. That was world war 1 and the battle of the Somme. I never saw Cooper as good again and personally I think Mercer broke his spirit for good there. Cooper himself broke Mercer's face and swelled it up like a beachball; Ray could have gone right after the fight to act in a zombie movie as an extra. What a fight. Lest we forget: This content is protected
Yes it really did him in. If I remember correctly Joe saw the writing on the wall and couldn't keep Bert in check anymore that's why he let him go ..sold his contract or however it went down but that's why they parted ways.
Right on the money my man! Beautifully written! As an edit I have long forgotten it was my favorite announcing team of Ryan and Clancy calling the action
Bert blowing out Ritchie Melito is one of my favorite Bert Cooper memories. I was taking the bar exam the following day and had resigned myself to live a spartan existence with no television or drinking the week of the bar exam. Then I heard that Bert Cooper was fighting on Tuesday Night Fights. Since Bert had long been one of my favorite active fighters, I just couldn't resist taking a study break to watch him. (Even though he was getting deep into the downslide of his career). I knew that the undefeated Melito was looking for a career boost by putting a recognizable name (who was clearly past it) on his ledger. As many fighters before him found out: BEWARE OF MR COOPER when he comes ready to fight. Bert absolutely destroyed Melito, and I passed the Bar. It was Bert's last moment of glory. But, one that I will never forget. RIP Smokin' Bert.
