Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG: A Boxing Legend

Biography of Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG: A Boxing Legend

Early Life

Henry Cooper was born on May 3, 1934, in Lambeth, London, to Henry Snr and Lily Cooper. Growing up with his identical twin brother, George, and elder brother Bern, he spent his childhood in a council house on Farmstead Road on the Bellingham Estate in South East London. Despite the challenges of the Second World War, Cooper and his brothers excelled in sports, particularly football and cricket.

Life was tough in the latter years of the Second World War, and London life especially brought many dangers during the blackout. Cooper took up many jobs, including a paper round before school, and made money out of recycling golf balls to the clubhouse on the Beckenham course. All three of the Cooper brothers excelled in sport, with George and Henry exercising talents particularly in football and also cricket. Cooper started his boxing career in 1949, as an amateur with the Bellingham Boxing Club based at Athelney St School in Bellingham which was run and founded by Albert Colley and won seventy-three of eighty-four contests. At the age of seventeen, he won the first of two ABA light-heavyweight titles before National Service in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps as Private Service Number 22486464.

Amateur Boxing Career

Cooper began his boxing career in 1949 as an amateur with the Bellingham Boxing Club. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning seventy-three of eighty-four contests. At the age of seventeen, he won the first of two ABA light-heavyweight titles before serving in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during National Service.

1952 Olympics

Representing Great Britain as a light heavyweight boxer at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Cooper showcased his talent on the international stage.

Professional Boxing Career

Cooper’s professional career began under the management of Jim Wicks, alongside his twin brother George. Despite some early setbacks, including losses to notable opponents, Cooper’s determination and skill propelled him forward.

British and Commonwealth Champion

In 1959, Cooper achieved a significant milestone by winning the British and Commonwealth titles from Brian London. His successful defenses solidified his reputation as a formidable boxer.

Muhammad Ali

Cooper’s memorable bouts against Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, captured the attention of the boxing world. Despite facing defeat, Cooper’s resilience and sportsmanship left a lasting impression.

In 1966 Cooper fought Ali for the heavyweight championship, for a second time at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury. However, Ali was now alert to the danger posed by Cooper’s left and more cautious than he had been in the previous contest; he held Cooper in a vice-like grip during clinches, and when told to break leapt backward several feet. Accumulated scar tissue around Cooper’s eyes made him more vulnerable than in the previous meeting and a serious cut was opened by Ali, which led to the fight being stopped, Cooper again losing to Ali via technical knockout.In 1963 Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay and a contender for the world heavyweight title) created a great deal of ticket-selling publicity before his London bout with Cooper, who many British fans hoped would be able to humble the brash young American. In the boxing world, however, Ali was considered a future world champion and Cooper the underdog. The contest took place at Wembley Stadium, Wembley Park. According to the official weigh-in, Ali outweighed Cooper by 21 pounds, Cooper said he wore weighted clothing and was near the light heavyweight limit. Cooper had devised his own training regimen and felt that though lighter he was in the best condition of his career.

Later Fights

After facing notable opponents like Floyd Patterson and Joe Bugner, Cooper retired from professional boxing in 1971. His contributions to the sport earned him widespread respect and admiration.