Henry Cooper Sparring 1966

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mcvey, Feb 28, 2020.


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  1. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    This is upstairs, in the old Thomas A Becket pub,judging by the amount of people there I'd say it's Henry in training for the title shot against Ali, and that the sparring partner might be Alonzo Johnson?
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    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    #1
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  2. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Anything London in the swinging 60’s is awesome by me.

    Great find. Were you familiar with the pub/upstairs gym Mac?
     
    young griffo, Feb 28, 2020
    young griffo, Feb 28, 2020
    #2
  3. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Great stuf that Mac.
    I believe Henry was a converted lefty?
     
    Cecil, Feb 28, 2020
    Cecil, Feb 28, 2020
    #3
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  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes he was.
     
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    I've been there few times, Tommy and Beryl Gibbons ran the boozer in those days and dabbled in promoting. Beryl used to be a regular at the fights when I first started going.
     
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
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  6. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Loving that. What's with the extra padding in Henry's headgear ? Also, to digress, Didn't Terry Downes train at the Beckett as well ?
     
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
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  7. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Is it still there Mac or has it gone?
     
    Cecil, Feb 28, 2020
    Cecil, Feb 28, 2020
    #7
  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    The padding was probably for protection from cuts , Downes was a little before my time as regards going to watch sparring.
     
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
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  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Buildings there, but I don't think it's a pub anymore.
     
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    #9
  10. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Of course. Poor old Henry would cut in a strong wind wouldn't he ? I'll have to look up Terry's book again. I'm sure he trained at the Beckett and sparred with Peter Waterman and Wally Swift. Apparently those sessions were wars.
     
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
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  11. SolomonDeedes

    SolomonDeedes Active Member Full Member

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    Cooper hired Jim Fletcher as a sparring partner for the Ali fight. Maybe it's him?
     
    SolomonDeedes, Feb 28, 2020
    SolomonDeedes, Feb 28, 2020
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  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Maybe.He does look a bit too stocky to be Johnson.
     
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    mcvey, Feb 28, 2020
    #12
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lst I heard, they turned it in to a restaurant but I'm sure it didn't do to well and closed. Think the building s vacant now, which if it is, is pretty sad.
     
    Fergy, Feb 28, 2020
    Fergy, Feb 28, 2020
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  14. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It was left to run down after Gary Davidson's illness and sad death. Terrible shame. It was a great place to grab a drink after a show in London.
     
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
    LoadedGlove, Feb 28, 2020
    #14
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  15. barberboy2

    barberboy2 Member Full Member

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    Great footage! That looks like it could be the gangster Albert Dimes watching in the right hand corner of the ring? I know him and fellow gangster Bert Marsh we’re unofficial partners with coopers manager Jim wicks.
     
    barberboy2, Feb 28, 2020
    barberboy2, Feb 28, 2020
    #15
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