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It is with real sadness that I read just now of one of my sporting heroes, Henry Cooper, who has died just two days short of his 77th birthday.
Henry Cooper was probably one of, if not the greatest British heavyweight boxers of all time. He was reknowned for catching Muhammed Ali, then Cassius Clay, with his trademark left hook, which floored Clay. Although Clay went on to win the bout, he said afterwards that
"..he hit me so hard my ancestors in Africa felt it"
That left hook was known as " 'Enery's 'ammer".. and he was loved by just about everyone in boxing, and the wider world of sport in general
.
At the end of his career, he fought the up and coming Joe Bugner in a British heavyweight title fight and everyone was stunned by the decision afterwards, which gave Bugner the victory.. even the commentator, a normally mild mannered man, was disgusted by the decision, which appeared to have been rigged.Nobody to this day can understand it.
After his boxing career finished he appeared in numerous films, television series and was a team leader in the long running TV show, A Question of Sport. He was a very kind man who did much for charity. He was knighted in 2000, after having previously recieved the OBE. His twin brother, George, passed away last year. Henry Cooper fought at the Helsinki Olympics aged 18.
I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Henry Cooper once, over thirty years ago. He was as charming and as down to earth as his on screen personality.
British sport has lost a true sportsman.
Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011 R.I.P.
Phil
Henry Cooper was probably one of, if not the greatest British heavyweight boxers of all time. He was reknowned for catching Muhammed Ali, then Cassius Clay, with his trademark left hook, which floored Clay. Although Clay went on to win the bout, he said afterwards that
"..he hit me so hard my ancestors in Africa felt it"
That left hook was known as " 'Enery's 'ammer".. and he was loved by just about everyone in boxing, and the wider world of sport in general
.
At the end of his career, he fought the up and coming Joe Bugner in a British heavyweight title fight and everyone was stunned by the decision afterwards, which gave Bugner the victory.. even the commentator, a normally mild mannered man, was disgusted by the decision, which appeared to have been rigged.Nobody to this day can understand it.
After his boxing career finished he appeared in numerous films, television series and was a team leader in the long running TV show, A Question of Sport. He was a very kind man who did much for charity. He was knighted in 2000, after having previously recieved the OBE. His twin brother, George, passed away last year. Henry Cooper fought at the Helsinki Olympics aged 18.
I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Henry Cooper once, over thirty years ago. He was as charming and as down to earth as his on screen personality.
British sport has lost a true sportsman.
Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011 R.I.P.
Phil
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