Henry Cooper

[Randy Cornhole]

Henry Cooper died today. A sad loss for all boxing fans.

Long live 'Enrys 'ammer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... l?ITO=1490

[caller]

That's a shock and very sad news!

A very popular man - RIP.

Who knows what may have happened had Angelo Dundee not split Ali's glove to delay the start of the next round.......

[Big Boy]

Brut will never smell the same again.

[redzonerocker]

Sad news indeed & today 'Whispering' Ted Lowe passed away too.

Both were icons in their own particular way, may they both R.I.P

[caller]

Here's a great obituary by the Guardian. And the endpiece explains that the 'glove incident' is nowt but folklore! Goes to show you never stop learning!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/m ... r-obituary

[PeteC]

Yes, very good epitaph. I liked this part. Pete

"Cooper, too, could be swift and able with the spoken word. In a 1970 TV debate, Baroness Edith Summerskill, a notable opponent of boxing, inquired: "Mr Cooper, have you looked in the mirror and seen the state of your nose?" Quickly, he replied: "Well, have you? Boxing is my excuse – what's yours?" Ungallant, he acknowledged afterwards, but after a pleasant-enough discussion she had rather ambushed him."

[JD]

A sad loss indeed. As a young boy, Henry Cooper was a hero of mine.

May he R.I.P.

[johnnyk]

He could hit but unfortunately had tissue-paper skin around his eyes. Basically, he had to put his opponent away before he lost on cuts.

[pharvey]

Very sad news indeed. I met him with my father and brother some years ago at a charity diner/amateur boxing night in Bath - great guy, very happy to chat with all-comers. Would love to seen him fight live - unfortunately a tad before my time.

R.I.P.

[Siani]

Really sad, although I do not like boxing myself, my husband has fond memories of Henry Cooper when he was a young boy. My husband was born in the east end of London. He lived near the Old Kent Road in his early childhood. Henry Cooper used to train in the Bellingham/ Catford area and was a local hero. He did a lot for the youth in that area during the later fifties. A very good man. He trained above Thomas a Becket pub in the Old Kent Road for some years in the fifties.

We must not forget that he is Sir Henry Cooper, a great honour awarded by Queen Elizabeth 11. He was so proud to be knighted.
RIP