Ali tribute to Cooper, the ‘ole friend’ who floored him

Muhammad Ali led tributes yesterday to boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper, who has died at the age of 76.

Sir Henry died at his son’s house in Surrey yesterday, two days before his 77th birthday.

Ali, who was famously floored by Sir Henry but went onto become a close friend, said he was “at a loss for words”.

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“I was not aware he was ill. I visited with him two summers ago during a brief visit to Windsor as part of the Equestrian Games being held there. He was in good humour and looked quite fit.

“Henry always had a smile for me; a warm and embracing smile.

“It was always a pleasure being in Henry’s company. I will miss my ole friend. He was a great fighter and a gentleman.”

World heavyweight champion David Haye described Sir Henry as a “true warrior and great human being”. And former middleweight champion Chris Eubank said Sir Henry was a “beacon” for boxers and the public alike.

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Our ‘Enery, as he was known, was best known for knocking down Ali at Wembley Stadium in 1963 He floored the American, who was then known as Cassius Clay, in the fourth round with his trademark left hook.

But Ali was saved by the bell. Some believe Cooper would have won the fight had Ali’s trainer not slashed his glove to give him a few extra seconds to recover while another pair was fetched.

Sir Henry, a British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, twice won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. But he never won a world title and retired in 1971.

He was knighted in 2000, the first boxer to receive the honour.

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