Henry Cooper signed print framed

Henry Cooper signed print mounted and framed in black and comes complete with a certificate of authenticity. Genuine autographed boxing gift. Ideal gift for British boxing fans!

Early bouts

Cooper is often regarded as the most popular of all English boxers and affectionately known in England as: "Our 'Enry". He was at one time the British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion. His early title challenges were unsuccessful, losing to Joe Bygraves for the Commonwealth belt (KO 9), Ingemar Johansson for the European belt (KO 5) and Joe Erskine (PTS 15) for the British and Commonwealth. He then won on points over highly rated contender Zora Folley and took the British and Commonwealth belts from new champion Brian London  in a 15 round decision. The winner of the fight was pencilled in to get a shot at Floyd Patterson' heavyweight title, but Cooper turned down the chance and London went instead. Cooper continued to defend his British and Commonwealth belts against all comers including Dick Richardson (KO 5), Joe Erskine (TKO 5 and TKO 12), Johnny Prescott (TKO 10) and Brian London again (PTS 15), although he suffered a setback when losing a rematch with Folley by a second round KO. He was also offered a chance to fight Sonny Liston but his manager Jim Wicks rejected the idea, saying "We don't even want to meet Liston walking down the same street."

Fights with Cassius Clay

Cooper fought Cassius Clay twice, firstly in a non-title fight in 1963 at Wembley Stadium, when Clay was knocked down in the dying seconds of the fourth round with his trademark left hook, "Enry's 'Ammer". The bell rang before Cooper could try to complete a knockout. Clay was literally, "saved by the bell." Prior to the fight Clay's trainer Angelo Dundee had noticed a small tear in one of Clay's gloves but didn't bring it to the referee's attention. With Clay now staggered from the knock down, Dundee opened up the tear with his finger and told the referee that his fighter needed a new pair of gloves, thus delaying the start of the 5th round. Cooper has always insisted that this delay lasted anywhere from 3-5 minutes and denied him the chance to try to knock Clay out while he was still dazed. When the 5th round finally started, Clay ferociously attacked Cooper's cuts, leaving his face streaming with blood and referee Tommy Little was forced to stop the fight in the American's favour.

Alongside figures such as Frank Bruno, Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Bugner, Tommy Farr and Lennox Lewis, Cooper is regarded as one of the all-time best British heavyweights.

Henry Cooper autographed gift - signed print - genuine!