Rethinking Henry Cooper

I also have immense respect for Henry Cooper. The only two that defeated Cooper by knockout were Ingo in 1957 and Floyd Patterson on Sept 20 1966.

 

I have a lot of respect for Henry Cooper; he made his living in the ring and became an icon.
Reading his book on how to box was an important event in my life because that is where I learned to throw the left hook.

 

Cooper sure was very courageous.

 

Didn't know he wrote a book. That's neat.

 

he respect British title also.
this is way boxing should be.. boxers should win the local, national & region continent champion titles & defend . & also matches international for world rank as is necessary.
like Henry Cooper did it. for a top example.

 

Narrowly missing out on beating Clay, it's a shame we never got to see a rematch.

 

There was a rematch between Henry Cooper and Muhammad Ali on Saturday May 21 1966 for the title held by Champion Ali. There was no knockdown for Cooper in this fight, Ali had matured as champion by not playing with Cooper as he did on June 18 1963 before Ali had defeated Sonny Liston for the title. In this rematch, Ali avoided Henry's left hook, moved well, then threw a chopping right hand in round 6 that brought torrents of blood from Cooper's eyebrow, then quick combos to the now bloodied face and chest of Cooper brought in referee George Smith to halt the bout, Henry required 14 sutures to close the wound.

 

I know, it's a trick question I get everyone with when I ask people how many times did Ali face Cooper, they look baffled when I say once, technically that's true as he fought Cassius Clay first time around.

 

One of the best British heavies without a doubt. Met him once. A great ambassador for boxing too.

 

It reminds me of when I was a Security Supervisor at the local Casino. This guy was escorted off property for intoxication, I told him he could return tomorrow. After 12:00 am, he returned. I told him I thought I told you tomorrow, his reply was it is tomorrow. I called him a Wise Guy, told him to leave, he was laughing all the way to the cab that I called for him. I collected his car keys, they were secured until he picked his car up during the next day at 12: 00 pm.

 

The period after Cooper became Britain’s champion he was always the main event guy. For the rest of his career. No matter how well he was doing at elite level, Champion’s and higher rated contenders journeyed to fight cooper in his home town. So he wasn’t strictly ever a journeyman. Because Cooper was an a-lister in his own country.

Cooper was kind of like Brian Nielson and Frank Bruno in that respect..only Cooper won more of his competitively matched fights than either Neilson or Bruno ever did.

 

Good post, Goo.
I m an admirer of Enry myself.
Just a down to earth guy who could hit like hell.
Came closer than anyone to stopping prime Ali, no sorry, before prime Ali.
Never went in really for that trash, crap talk they all do now.
Respect for the man.