Muhammad Ali leads tributes to Henry Cooper

MUHAMMAD ALI led tributes today to boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper, who 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”.

“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.

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“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”.

Chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson said he was a “wonderful guy, generous and funny and kind”.

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And former middleweight champion Chris Eubank said Sir Henry was a “beacon” for boxers and the public alike.

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 ‘Enery’s Ammer’ - his trademark left hook.

But Ali was saved by the bell. Some believe Sir Henry - who was then just plain Henry 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.

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Sir Henry, a British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, also twice won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

But he never won a world title and retired in 1971 after controversially losing to Joe Bugner.

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

Friends said Sir Henry never recovered from the loss of his wife Albina in 2008.

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Sir Michael said: “I never met anybody who didn’t like Henry Cooper.

“He was the best kind of athlete, the best kind of boxer, he wasn’t boastful, he was genuinely modest and a gentleman.”

After his boxing career Sir Henry appeared in television adverts for Brut and Shredded Wheat.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, a personal friend of Sir Henry, said he and his wife were “devoted to each other” and a great example of a loving family.

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He said: “It’s tragic news for the world of boxing. What a great man he was.”

World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion Amir Khan said: “I think Henry Cooper was something special, the way he carried himself and the way he respected everyone.”