Henry Cooper’s Death – Cause and Date

Henry Cooper, the legendary British heavyweight boxer, passed away on May 1, 2011, at the age of 76.

The Gentleman’s Hammer

Known affectionately as “Our ‘Enry,” Cooper was celebrated for his formidable skills in the ring and his sportsmanship.

The boxing promoter Frank Warren said: “He transcended boxing. He was a true gentleman of sport and had a huge place in the public’s affection. He never won the world title but he had true British grit, he tried.”

He gained international fame for his epic 1963 fight against Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, where he knocked Ali down with his famous left hook, “Enry’s ‘Ammer” (Henry’s Hammer).

Throughout his career, Cooper held the British, Commonwealth, and European heavyweight titles. His resilience and tenacity endeared him to boxing fans worldwide. After retiring from boxing in 1971, Cooper became a popular television personality and authored several books about his life and career.

He was married to Albina Genepri from 1960 to 2008; he had two brothers, George and Bern.

Death

Cooper died at the age of 76. He died at his son’s house in Oxted, Surrey, after months of declining health.

According to some friends, the cause of death was “a broken heart” since he had never gotten over the deaths of his beloved wife Albina in 2008 and his identical twin brother George last year. However, the British Boxing Board of Control stated that he passed away after an unspecified prolonged illness.

Cooper’s death marked the end of an era in British boxing, leaving behind a legacy of courage and excellence. Tributes poured in from across the sports world, remembering him not only as a great boxer but also as a gentleman who exemplified the spirit of the sport.