Ali leads tributes to Our 'Enery
2 May 2011 12:10am Muhammad Ali has led tributes to boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper, who has died at the age of 76.
Sir Henry died at his son's house in Surrey on Sunday, 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."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."
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.
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.
Friends said Sir Henry never recovered from the loss of his wife Albina in 2008.
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.
He said: "It's tragic news for the world of boxing. What a great man he was."
