I watched this again today.Cooper did better than I remembered.Ali was short of his prime and short of his physical maturity.Cooper said Ali had no idea about fighting inside ,he just held until the ref told them to break. Cooper's speciality was a hook after the break had been called and the third man was surprisingly lenient in allowing him to get away with it a lot. The myth of the time allowed for the glove to be replaced,[it never was,] was exploded years ago. One thing that was not picked up on was the smelling salts waved under Ali's nose.They were illegal in the UK at the time.Ali came out all business in the 5th and that was that.
Cooper had a style that Ali found awkward to deal with. If you watch the 1966 re-match for Ali's title, Henry has moments in that one too. It's noticeable that he throws his right hand more which surprised Ali. It's one of those Boxing anomalies. Most of the other World class guys Henry fought hammered him. He got a decision over Zora Folley but it was touch and go. Folley knocked Henry out in the re-match. Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson also sparked him yet he always looked good against Ali.
That's certainly true Mac. Henry's problem was that if he didn't get you early, he was slightly one paced and predictable so the top Heavyweights could time him and counter effectively. The shot Patterson took him out with was a beaut.
I remember that one, I was on my first foreign holiday ,[Majorca] we listened to it on the radio , on the roof of our hotel.
Was a better fight then I remembered. The colorization is always a nice touch. What a difference skill wise with Ali’s in fighting though that’s something i noticed right off. Learned later on.
2 notes from this fight that stand out. 1st, for whatever reason, Ali didn't see the left hook well. Proven later by Frazier. #2 Any fighter can be put on their ass if they're clowning and not focused.
