Sir Henry Cooper

nah, it wasn't just for boxing. Although the guy won 3 Londales belts, was European champ for God knows how long he also had a very sucessfull TV career and was a British icon in the 70s, everyone knew who Henry Cooper was.

He wasn't 'just' the bloke who put Clay on his arse.

 

was itnot for charity work as well

 

Boxing was a lot bigger back then, and no one was as big in England as Henry Cooper.

 

deserved it just for the brut ad with kevin keegan tbh. :yep

 

splash it all over

 

You're seeing an issue where there isn't one. He had a very long career at a time when boxing was always on the TV and everyone knew the names of even the British champs. He left boxing did game shows, comedy shows, chat shows, charity work. The guy was literally on the TV every week.

If he'd have been Scots or Welsh he'd have got the knighthood.

 

I am of the same opinion as you, I have nothing against Henry but its clear to see that he was awarded a knighthood for putting Ali on the deck. This should be no surprise, the honours system in this country is ridiculous, you get z-list celebs getting OBE's and MBE'S, and it seems that if your famous enough and you live to be over 60 you'll get a knighthood.
Cooper wasnt a great British fighter, he got annihilated not just by Ali but by Patterson and Johannson, he also got beat convincingly by Joe Erskine.
Bruno, Williams and probably Skelton wouldnt have much trouble in beating him either ....

He appeals to the nostalgic, semi racist people in our society who worship him because he knocked down the acknowledged greatest heavyweight fighter in history..
This argument isnt really about Cooper though, its about the honours system in this country and the broader issue of the Monarchy ..
I am a Republican and strongly believe that the royal family should be downgraded in importance. How am i supposed to respect Prince Charles when this is a guy that employs a man to squeeze toothpaste on his brush because he is just too 'precious' to do it himself. How can anybody bow they're heads to this man or any of his family in 2009 .... Its so out-dated ..

 

Just so we're clear, I'm a Republican myself and I'm not defending the honours system (and I'm certainly not "semi racist"). I'm just trying to convey how Coopers boxing career was percieved at the time and how well did after he retired.

 

national treasure, doing his business at a time when boxing was a mainstream sport

end thread

 

there have been far worse inductees.


was an idol for years and is a legend.

Barry McGuigan won 3 world title bouts....but that isnt why he is in the hall of fame.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5tLfiu7an4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf-4Gbqyni4

 

Henry Cooper would have beaten Ali if Dundee had not cut Ali's gloves to give him time to clear his head. Cooper had balls the size of church bells.

 

Henry Cooper actually fought in an era WITHOUT much boxing on television. I have 13 of his fights, and I believe that is all there exists. Fights against Amos Johnson, Roger Rischer, Piero Tomasoni were not recorded, and only one of his fights against London, Erskine and Folley exists as far as I know.

Woller