I was actually ringside for that amazing war. Sitting across from me was Donald Trump (with some model). And, of all people, Weird Al Yancovic was sitting next to my buddy and I. It was one of the most exciting fights I have ever been to live. The fans were going crazy. I bet on Cooper, and almost made a killing. After the fight, some John Gotti looking mobster type in a $2000 suit came up to my friend and I and said " You were robbed."
Joe Savage came over and managed to have a great PR run leading up to the Million Dollar Heavyweight Tournament in 11993. He went on a media blitz around the country talking about what a hard man he was and challenging Tyson and Lennox Lewis "in the same night" and got feature writeups in KO Boxing and some of the other Weston boxing mags and even did a guest spot on David Letterman believe it or not. Because of his unique look and brash talk, there was a lot of buzz and curiosity to see him fight. He ended up bailing on the Tournament and seemed to fade into the mists until he strangely showed up on a non-descript club card in British Columbia with no media hype against Bert Cooper of all people. And you saw the satisfying result. Savage couldn't even throw a balanced proper punch that probably all of us on this board can do just by imitating the fighters we have seen on TV over the years.
Joe Savage claimed he was the bare knuckle boxing champion in the UK. He also claimed 50 or so fights, winning all. I'm pretty sure he owns/used to own a scrapyard in Birmingham. He was KOd by Bert in round one, even though Bert was coming off a loss or two, and couldn't fight in his own country for a time. There was also a time when Joe Savage went to the states where he was supposed to be taking part in a toughman competition. He was all booked in to have a go, and was seen by others while he was watching a fairly brutal warm up sparring session between former champs Bonecrusher Smith and Tony Tubbs. After watching a couple of rounds, Savage remembered a leg injury he had, which suddenly flared up on him. He re-packed his suitcase and came home!!!
The story behind this one one was that someone tipped off the boxing commission that Cooper was going to throw the televised fight. Apparently the Commissioner had a serious conversation with Cooper just before he left his dressing room. After seeing the look of shock and confusion on Melito's face after the first knockdown, I tend to think that there may have been some fire where there was Smoke. This story is not meant to denigrate Smoking Bert as he was one of my favourite fighters to watch and always guaranteed entertainment whether he won or lost. Boxing could use a few gatekeepers like Bert around today to see if these up and coming heavyweights are worthy of a title shot. Bert was the ultimate truth serum.
Rocking a peak Holyfield the way he did is definitely a career highlight for him. Cooper's fight with Moorer was a shootout where it quickly became a kill or be killed fight. His fight with Mercer also became a very rough night for both of them. Cooper was not an easy man to fight when he showed up in shape and ready to go. Look out if he's ready to brawl.
The Mercer/Cooper bout is one of the grittiest and most draining recorded heavyweight slugfests. No joke. Brutal fight. I vividly recall Cooper unloading on a shelled up Mercer and hitting him so shots so hard that Mercer's feet come off the canvas as the force of the punches belt his entire body around.
Some Cooper from my channel. This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
