Sometimes it seems it's forgotten that Cooper was not doing at all bad against Clay/Ali in their fights, particularly the first of course, before cuts curtailed his competitive participation on both occassions. So how would Henry do against a smaller, less strong, less Mobile, Ring General in Harold Johnson, ? Harold brings intelligent Movement, unflasly but articulate Boxing ability, and superb Timing, and would not be at too much of a size disadvantage as Henry was a Lean Whippett type, Lean because he was always extremely dedicated and well trained... Henry's Chin could let him down on Occassion, but if a revenge fuelled Zora Folly (As in second Fight) Ingemar Johanson or Floyd Patterson catch you Flush with their 'Match Winners' then it is understandable, However Harold was not that type of 'Sudden Thunder' Merchant, The quality of Henry's chin is probably not fully Pivital here, And as for cuts, well apart from at the Flashing Slashing Fists of Clay/Ali Any other cuts stoppages do not jump out at you and are probably lost in the mists of his early inexperianced career, once he started picking up domestic and european titles it was only the slashing punches of Clay/Ali that turned the trick, Harold i think can not bank on the spillage of Cooper Claret to terminate matters here, Henry is not a slow heavyweight, and contests well at a distance with his very reliable 'Postman's Knock' Jab and Double Jab... So Harold will not only be at risk when up close, he may find that he has to bitterly contest from range as well ...It may not only be 'Henry's Hammer' that Harold has to be weary of... Lets sat a Fired up Henry, Ala Folly first, and both Ali/Clay fights, Vs the Harold of say The Machen fight Albeit an earlier Victory over Nino Valdez also showed his crafty cababilities against the big boys The venue of Empire Pool Wembley could perhaps swing it Henry's way... But i am sure Harold would be thinking 'Anything Amos Johnson and Roger Rischer can do...' King Henry or King Harold ?
Johnson, obviously, was the better fighter. Cooper lands a Sunday left hook? Maybe lights out. Although Henry wasn't a big heavy, Harold wasn't a heavy. Could go either way. I could be wrong, comments appreciated!
Cooper was not a one-dimensional big left hooker, he was more a good all-round boxer. His big problem was a fragile chin, he was a bigger puncher than Johnson and Harold the better boxer and more durable, but nothing that clearcut. Johnson in a bore-fest?
Johnson may well have won this, his record makes him favourite,but by," jabbing Coopers head off? " I don't think so Cooper had a good jab himself and was not slow handed.
Johnson was a master boxer, he out jabbed Ezzard Charles archie moore and eddie mâchén, all men who were better fighters with better jabs than Cooper. Coopers jab was good, but johnsons was one of the greatest of all time. Johnson is simply in a different class than Cooper skill wise. I can't imagine Cooper beating Ezzard Charles Archie Moore Eddie Mâchén and shutting out Doug jones. I give Cooper a punchers chance. Bad news for Cooper is Johnson was susceptible to the right hand, NOT left hook
I pick Johnson but I think Cooper would be competitive . You're right about Johnson's susceptibility to the right hand.:good
Actually, given the 10 point must system the Clay-Cooper bout in 63 was, after round 4: 1st round: Henry comes out aggressively jabbing, pressing the action, a few left hooks that partially landed, and bloodied Clay's nose. Round to Henry. 2nd & 3rd rounds: The "young, handsome, Cassius Clay" (I love those British commentators) started establishing his jab and counters, and won both rounds. 4th round: dumped Clay late; many say he got right back to his feet and walked to his corner only to...get off his stool 10 seconds later and start walking to...nowhere! He got majorly 'clocked'. Going into the 5th round: 38-37 Cooper. Interesting that, in their 66 rematch Cooper was (amazingly) unmarked after the fifth (tho Ali had a clear lead). That one right hand by Ali in the sixth opened the 'floodgates'!
Always a chance of an upset. Johnson did get beaten by lesser lights from time to time. But best to best I think that jab of his will open up Cooper's face the way Clay/Ali did and stop him.
He could always try and catch him on the break like he did to **** Richardson! I'm not sure Johnson KOs Cooper. He didn't have many knockouts against heavyweights. Light-heavies went the distance with him, including soft-chinned Bob Satterfield twice.
