By James Slater: The late, great Sir Henry Cooper, who passed away at the age 76 on Sunday, never boxed under the bright lights of Las Vegas. In fact, Cooper never even fought in America. However, “Our Enery” definitely made his mark on the global stage and, in a fitting tribute that has been arranged by promoter Bob Arum, fans inside the beautiful MGM Grand Arena will this Saturday remain silent for a minute as Cooper is remembered.
Ahead of the big Pacquiao-Mosley fight, the final ten-count will toll for the former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight king. Arum spoke exclusively to The Telegraph, explaining why he had to arrange what he has arranged for “gentleman” Sir Henry.
“Henry Cooper was one of the great gentlemen of boxing, and it is right that we remember him publically on a grand stage on Saturday night,” Arum said. “We will be tolling the bell and paying our respects to Henry. The Ali-Cooper fights are part of a memorable era in boxing. Cooper was one of boxing’s nice guys, and the epitome of an athlete and a gentleman.”
Arum promoted Ali’s second fight with Cooper, the world title clash that took place at Arsenal’s football ground in May of 1966. That fight, Cooper’s sole world title shot in a seventeen year pro career, ended on cuts in the 6th-round when Cooper’s old bugbear came back to haunt him once again. If it hadn’t been for Cooper’s tissue-like skin, who knows what would have happened in many of his fights?
The fans in attendance on Saturday will surely behave like real fans and give the British boxing hero the kind of honourable send-off he more than deserves. Ever since Sunday, tributes have been coming in from the likes of Muhammad Ali, Amir Khan, Lennox Lewis, David Haye and other big names from the sport who will never forget Henry. On Saturday, regular fight fans will get their chance to pay tribute to the immensely popular Londoner.
Let’s hope the main event between Pac-Man and “Sugar” Shane turns out to be a great fight; one that also pays tribute to Sir Henry!