Henry Cooper and Harry Gibbs

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stevie G, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Messages:
    25,213
    Likes Received:
    8,753
    Cooper never forgave Gibbs for giving Joe Bugner the nod in an extremely close fight over Henry. This was a bit childish,in my book. Agree or disagree ?
     
  2. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2008
    Messages:
    7,132
    Likes Received:
    28
    I don't hold Cooper's resentment against him. After all, he was a world-class professional athlete, and it's only normal that he would have unusually strong feelings about his performances. For those guys, every performance is a make-or-break situation for their career, and for their lives.

    That said, I do not believe it was unreasonable to give Bugner the decision. It was no robbery. The decision could have gone either way legitimately.
     
  3. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Messages:
    25,213
    Likes Received:
    8,753
    But not speaking to Gibbs for years after the event though :roll: If the decision had gone Henry's way,and Bugner had blanked Gibbs,Cooper would criticise Joe for it,quite justifiably. I can understand Henry being pissed off at the time,but after all that time !!!!!!! SAD.
     
  4. Mr Butt

    Mr Butt Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    14,678
    Likes Received:
    183
    yeah a bit childish , i can understand cooper being peeved at the decision in such a close fight , but the not talking to Gibb's could be construed that cooper felt something was off that night .which i think was an unfair attitude to take towards Gibb's
     
  5. Woller

    Woller Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2005
    Messages:
    1,372
    Likes Received:
    315
    To make matters worse, Cooper wrote things about Gibbs in his book, he should not have done. Gibbs took him to court and won.

    Probably Cooper had to stick to his story of robbery, like he had to stick to the foolish store about the 5 minutes rest period for Clay in their first fight.

    Woller
     
  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Messages:
    25,213
    Likes Received:
    8,753
    :good The silly thing is,that if there had have been any sort of skullduggery involved,it would have more than likely swung Cooper's way. An icon bowing out with a win.....!