RIP Sir Henry

by D4thincarnation Mon 2 May - 5:37

Great British Boxer, Sir Henry Cooper passed away earlier today at the age of 76, well loved by the nation he would undoubtedly one of Britain best loved boxers and a great ambassador for the sport.

Fought Ali twice famously knocking him down in the 4th in their first fight and Dundee having to rip Ali's glove to buy time, both fights Cooper lost because it was stopped on cuts another thing he was famed for.

What is your memories of the great man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnEDM4EC5kw

by Sugar Boy Sweetie Mon 2 May - 5:38

RIP Henry.

by SugarRayRussell (PBK) Mon 2 May - 5:40

Shame never heard this D4 cheers for flagging it up.
RIP Henry

by azania Mon 2 May - 5:41

What? RIP Henry. An icon and a great man. I recall a quote from Ali who after being decked by Cooper said that "he hit me so hard even my ancestors in Africa felt it".

Sad day for British boxing.

by **88Chris05** Mon 2 May - 5:50

Only just seen this news for the first time now. Very, very sad. RIP our 'Enery, you'll be missed.

by John Bloody Wayne Mon 2 May - 5:52

by BALTIMORA Mon 2 May - 6:06

No way! R.I.P.

by Young_Towzer Mon 2 May - 6:08

He told everyone he floored Ali hahaha!, great guy, RIP Henry

by **oxring** Mon 2 May - 6:18

Huge loss. How haven't I heard this? Cheers D4.

by Mr Bounce Mon 2 May - 6:24

It's very sad news. I actually met him once when he came to do a talk at my school (I was about 14). He had the biggest hands I had ever seen. A very funny and extremely genuine bloke. Listening to him got me into boxing. RIP "Our 'Enery". A true great. Crying or Very sad

by All Time Great Mon 2 May - 7:31

RIP 'Our Enery'

by Guest Mon 2 May - 8:09

A truly gentle and thoughtful human being, who decryed the passing of fair play and good sportsmanship.A massive loss to British sport, but has to be said he transcended boxing and was loved for being such a decent guy.

by Liam_Main Mon 2 May - 8:14

R.I.P Henry.Sad day for boxing.

by lesrock Mon 2 May - 8:23

God bless sir Henry. Very very sad day. I remember as a kid gettin into boxing. And my dad showed me the old tape of enry against bugner. What a rip off. R.i.p. Sir enry. This Irish guy loved ya. This next beers for u!

by guildfordbat Mon 2 May - 8:52

Just heard this very sad news.

'Our 'Enry', much admired for his work in and outside the ring.

by ONETWOFOREVER Mon 2 May - 9:24

Just woke up and saw the news. Sad very sad ol" enry was a real boxing hero. Gave Ali nightmares, great fighter and a great bloke. RIP mate.

by The Galveston Giant Mon 2 May - 9:56

by The Sweet Science UK Mon 2 May - 11:11

RIP

just posted a tribute to the great man on my blog, check it out & leave some comments about the great man.

http://thesweetscienceuk.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/r-i-p-sir-henry-cooper/

by Jab to An MD Mon 2 May - 15:56

RIP Henry, i wasnt around when you were fighting but my grandad holds you as the greatest left hand of all time. a true legend. Ali beat you, and im sure you'll run God close, my money is on our 'enry

by oldshanker Mon 2 May - 17:33

'Enery's 'Ammer is no more.

Lovely man, a true sporting gent and will be very sadly missed by everyone, but especially people of my generation.

Goodbye Henry and thank you!

by Solerina Mon 2 May - 17:38

This is a sad news for everyone.

Sir Henry Cooper was a national treasure

RIP Crying or Very sad

Solerina

by coxy0001 Mon 2 May - 18:44

True legend of British sport

Never won the world title, never met the man but am assured by those who did that they've never met a more charming sportsman in their entire lives.

'Enry and his 'ammer, may you rest in peace

by **HumanWindmill** Mon 2 May - 18:49

Have to say that I was never a huge Cooper fan, but this would be neither the time nor the place to explain why, since it would be disrespectful.

What I will say is that Cooper played a huge part in contributing to the magic of boxing, in one capacity or another, for over half a century. That, alone, is worthy of high praise.

RIP.

by TRUSSMAN66 Mon 2 May - 18:53

Funny how there are two sides to every story......

Soon after I came to this Country I was speaking to someone who's Dad did I think it's called National service with Cooper...Apparently him and his twin brother were disliked intensely for bullying people around....Kind of changed the way I'd always perceived him to be...as the gentleman friendly giant...

However as there are two sides to every story maybe this was just one guy's malice and maybe he was a true gentleman..he was certainly a quality heavy..

May he rest on his farm in peace..

by Marlonz Tue 3 May - 1:23

Just read the news.
He was the kind of boxer the average person could relate to and even in losing performances, was always exciting. That 3rd fight with Erskine displayed just how tough and gritty Henry Cooper was. Even though he was only a 13 - 14 stone guy, he had the power to bring down a house. Ali would attest to that! Sad loss.
RIP Sir Henry.

by **HumanWindmill** Tue 3 May - 1:25

Welcome aboard, Marlonz.

Good to see you've joined us, and I hope you enjoy it here.

by Marlonz Tue 3 May - 1:28

Hey Windy. Thanks mate.
I'm looking forward to chatting on here and it certainly is more flexible than the old BBC 606.

by **HumanWindmill** Tue 3 May - 1:31

Marlonz wrote:Hey Windy. Thanks mate.
I'm looking forward to chatting on here and it certainly is more flexible than the old BBC 606.

You're welcome, Marlon.

Always enjoyed your input at the BBC, and I'm sure it will enrich the boxing section here, also. You'll be pleased to know that we don't have nearly so many problems with the WUMs who often plagued the old forum.

by Marlonz Tue 3 May - 1:35

Thanks Windy!
Likewise, always liked reading your articles and viewpoints. I can see already that your good self and several other great folks from the old BEEB forum are here.

by John Bloody Wayne Tue 3 May - 1:37

Thinking about it, he's quite unfortunate he wasn't around later, he could've been a fine cruiserweight.

by Marlonz Tue 3 May - 1:43

John Bloody Wayne wrote:Thinking about it, he's quite unfortunate he wasn't around later, he could've been a fine cruiserweight.

I agree. Especially with the power he had in that "'Ammer", against cruiserweights!

by KO-KING Tue 3 May - 7:17

http://www.boxingscene.com/muhammad-ali-mcguigan-khan-lay-praise-on-cooper--38713

by OasisBFC Tue 3 May - 19:21

never has one man made such a career from one punch.
seemed like a great guy though, very popular and got people into boxing which is always a good thing.

by bhb001 Tue 3 May - 20:54

OasisBFC wrote:never has one man made such a career from one punch.
seemed like a great guy though, very popular and got people into boxing which is always a good thing.

A little disrespectful, since he also won the Lonsdale Belt our right 3 times, and in a period when he couldn't duck the best around. A quality fighter just short of world class standard. Sadly missed

by manos de piedra Tue 3 May - 20:58

Problem for Cooper being a cruiseweight is that the same would apply to Patterson or Johanson of the time who were also small heavies that theoretically could be cruiser. Both beat Cooper pretty decisively.

by TRUSSMAN66 Tue 3 May - 21:23

What's with all this cruiserweight garbage...

Fact is there is no honor or money at cruiser so like Haye they would be heavyweights as would the Rock...

In fairness to the guy he didn't just trade on one fight as some have mentioned..

I've looked at his career and he was a dominant British heavy champion for god knows how long......British title meant something in them days...as it should these..

Obviously a fighter of note...

But stop going on about these guys being great cruisers...they wouldn't be because they wouldn't have bothered around in that shallow, useless division....

by manos de piedra Tue 3 May - 22:19

I dont think Cooper would have had much of a choice. He couldnt compete with the top big heavies so cruiser would be his only option for me.

by Guest Wed 4 May - 4:34

Just incase you didnt know, there is a special show on Sky Sports 1 at 8pm tonight - 'Sir Henry Cooper OBE - Sporting Hero'

by SugarRayRussell (PBK) Wed 4 May - 4:44

Theirs a programme on Sky Sports at 8pm tonight about Sir Henry Cooper. It's repeated at 10:15pm tonight and tomorrow morning at 10am

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